PRIMARY AROMATIC-AMINES - THEIR BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY-RELATIONSHIPS

Structure-activity relationships among the primary aromatic amines are of much interest from both a theoretical and a practical point of view. Nevertheless, these relationships have not been intensively investigated as have the polynuclear hydrocarbons. The present state of knowledge of these relationships, which concern carcinogenic activity and methemoglobin formation, are reviewed here. Since their mechanism of action undoubtedly involves metabolic activation and probably also detoxication, the metabolism of these substances in humans and animals is discussed.