Abstract
The misuse of so called novel psychoactive substances is still a challenging problem worldwide. A special attribute of a lot of these compounds is a chiral centre enabling two possible enantiomers probably related to different pharmacological and toxicological properties. The goal of the present study was to present a simple and isocratic HPLC–UV method for enantioseparation of mainly cathinone and pyrovalerone derivatives as well as selected representatives of amphetamines, ketamines, benzofuries, phenidines, phenidates, morpholines and thiophenes. A Waters Acquity UPC2® Trefoil™ CEL1 2.5 µm, 3.0 × 150 mm column served as chiral stationary phase by means of cellulose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) as chiral selector. Mobile phases consisted either of n-hexane/n-butanol/diethylamine (100:0.3:0.2) or n-hexane/diethylamine (100:0.2). The method was found to be applicable for rapid simultaneous chiral separations of cathinone derivatives, to determine enantiomeric elution orders, to detect positional isomers and to identify real-life samples. Also, a repeatability study was performed successfully. 78 out of 95 compounds were separated in their enantiomers successfully, 51 of them within 6 min. It was shown that all NPS bought from online vendors or seized by police were traded as racemic mixtures.
Highlights
Synthetic novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds, which are subject of slight alterations of well-known illicit drugs
During the past 10 years, more than 130 completely new cathinone derivatives were synthesized to circumvent law; this widespread substance class represents the second largest group of NPS after cannabinomimetics [1, 2]
With a chromatographic resolution ranging from 0.83 to 17.9, 78 of 95 NPS were resolved in their enantiomers, in most of the cases within short analysis time
Summary
Synthetic novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds, which are subject of slight alterations of well-known illicit drugs. They are mostly produced in China to help the consumers worldwide to circumvent law [1]. As so called “bath salts” or “plant fertilizers”, synthetic cathinones represent a heterogeneous and broad subclass of amphetamine-like compounds derived from cathinone. This parent compound possesses stimulating effects and is a natural substance in the khat plant. Called beta-keto amphetamines, possess a stimulating effect on the central nervous system (CNS) generated by an increased dopamine and norepinephrine release [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
