Resolve the two isomers?
I cannot remember if Shulgin resolved all of those DOx compounds. I seem to remember he did resolve one and concluded one was responsible for most of the activity which isn't the same as saying that the two may be more than a sum of their parts.
I'm thinking here of the stimulant activity. If only because the 2,5-diomethoxy derivative of PPA (methoxamine (INN][BAN] Vasoxin™/Vasoxyl™/Vasoxyl™) was apparenly used in general anesthesia to treat hypotension and was the raecemate, but it is/was classed as a long-acting α1-adrenergic receptor agonist.
But I just noticed the closely related butaxamine which is chiral and apparently a β2-selective beta blocker and 3-MeO derivative of epinephrine is also use to treat hypotension (shorter duration of activity being the advantage but is also an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist).
You know, this may infer why some users find 5-MeO derivatives of the trypamines produce the feeling of 'being sat on by an elephant' (I believe Shulgin was first to say words to that effect). The α1-adrenergic receptor agonist activity. My hypothesis, I hasten to add. But nobody has undertaken a study to find out. No money in publishing the fact that you product is toxic, I guess. Of the O-desmethyl metabolite, not just the active itself.
Fascinating to see how the shillers are massively bigging up 5-MeO DMT which unlike plain DMT has KILLED people with criminal proceeding taken against those promoting it's use as part of their $2000/day 'retreats'. All I can remark on that topic is that in Amsterdam where both were freely available, DMT cost considerably more and dodgy dealers were adding 5-MeO-DMT to real DMT to increase profits. I know this because as always, I got the NMR/GC-MS pairs on quite a few samples. So given the choise, people preferred DMT by a huge margin.
In fact, my limited experience of 5-MeO-DMT is why I passed on the offer of free 5MeO-AMT. It was in the form of a green gel so my very first question was 'why is it green' as I KNOW 5-MeO-AMT to be a while powder.
But back to the plot. I also hypothesized that since 2C-N was considered similar but inferior to MDMA, could resolving DON produce something more akin to MDA? That 4-nitro is almost unique as ayl nitro compounds are zwitterions. I am unaware of any recent research into DON because it is not a rewarding synthesis and losing the more potent half of your product would go against anyone with laser-like focus on profits. In this single case, the N-methyl would at once reduce potency still more BUT may potentially make it more like MDMA than MDA. After all, it's only a partial (low effaciacy) agonist at the 5HT2a receptor, has affinty for the serotonin receptor.
Sorry the reference is so old. I just feel it's one of the least explored even when 2C-N apparently suggests it's at least as likely to be an entactogen than hallucinogen and like AMT may have a window offering both much like MDA. You can't patent it unless it's for specific ratios of the isomers, a novel polymorph and/or the fact nobody appears to have synthesized the N-alkyl derivatives of the parent.