Trans-(±)-Cypenamine Enantiomers Structural Formulae.png
Clinical data
ATC code
  • none
CAS Number
PubChem CID
Chemical and physical data
Molar mass161.2435 g/mol g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
ChiralityRacemic mixture

Cypenamine (INN, BAN), or cypenamine hydrochloride (USAN), also known as 2-phenylcyclopentylamine, is a psychostimulant drug which was developed by a group at the William S. Merrell Chemical Company in the 1940s.[1][2] It is currently known only in scientific research and has never been developed for market use. Cypenamine is currently legal throughout the entire world, and though its chemical structure has a vague similarity to certain controlled stimulants like fencamfamine, it is likely that it is too distant for it to be considered an illicit analogue under the United States Federal Analogue Act of the Controlled Substances Act.



2-Phenylcyclopentan-1-amine is a compound with two stereocenters. Thus, the following two enantiomeric pairs may exist:

  • (1RS,2SR)-trans-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine
  • (1RS,2RS)-cis-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine

The racemate (±)-trans-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine [1:1 mixture of (1R,2S)-trans-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine (box, left) and (1S,2R)-trans-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine (box, right)] is the active ingredient of cypenamine.[3] Furthermore, the kinetic resolution of (±)-trans-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine by lipase B from Candida antarctica may effectivily performed by an aminolysis reaction.[3]

Racemic cis-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine [1:1 mixture of (1R,2R)-cis-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine and (1S,2S)-cis-2-phenylcyclopentan-1-amine] has found no pharmacological application.[citation needed]


Cypenamine is a homolog of tranylcypromine, containing an expanded alicyclic ring that is two methylene units larger than the highly strained/reactive cyclopropane. The cyclohexane homologue has been reported, although the LD50s were all less than for plain amphetamine, it was still a functional stimulant.[citation needed]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ US patent 2520516, van Zoeren, G. J., "Cyclic Amines and Method of Making Them", issued 1950-08-29 
  2. ^ J. Elks (14 November 2014). The Dictionary of Drugs: Chemical Data: Chemical Data, Structures and Bibliographies. Springer. pp. 966–. ISBN 978-1-4757-2085-3.
  3. ^ a b González-Sabín, J.; Gotor, V.; Rebolledo, F. (2004). "Kinetic resolution of (±)-trans- und (±)-cis-phenylcyclopentanamine by CALB-catalyzed aminolysis of esters: The key role of the leaving group". Tetrahedron:Asymmetry. 15 (3): 481–488. doi:10.1016/j.tetasy.2003.11.013.