Dopamine
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Dopamine_3D_ball2212.png")
![Dopamine structurePhenethylamine structureCatechol structure](/Images/godic/202502/04/Dopamine2.svg2212.png")
![Chemical diagram of a phenethylamine structure.](/Images/godic/202502/04/Fenyloetyloamina.svg2212.png")
![Chemical diagram of a catechol structure.](/Images/godic/202502/04/Brenzcatechin.svg2212.png")
Dopamine (contracted from 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is an organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families that plays several important roles in the brain and body. It is an amine synthesized by removing a carboxyl group from a molecule of its precursor chemical L-DOPA, which is synthesized in the brain and kidneys. Dopamine is also synthesized in plants and most multicellular animals.