In vitro activity: Adrenalone (12 μM) inhibits conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine by inhibiting dopamine β oxidase. The structure of Adrenalone differs from epinine only in that the former possesses a ketone group in the β position. The reduction of adrenalone (0.1 mM) by hydrated electrons in nitrogenated aqueous solutions containing either 10 or 100 mM tert-butyl alcohol results in identical transient spectra, therefore all OH radicals have been scavenged. While adrenalone behaves like a carbonyl compound during reduction, oxidation reactions are primarily governed by the catechol functional group. Adrenalone, which is a topical nasal decongestant, hemostatic, and vasoconstrictor, is a keton form of the natural substrate epinephrine. Adrenalone contains an aromatic ring that forms hydrophobic interactions with Phe72, Tyr152, and Phe317, an amine group that forms an ionic bond with Asp75, and a hydroxyl group that forms a hydrogen bond with Ala145. Adrenalone at 10 μM (100 μM) reduces substrate uptake to 99% (27%).

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