Abstract
A non-routine, comprehensive protocol for characterization of emerging new psychoactive substances (NPS) including chemical structures, impurities, as well as crystal structures, has been developed to facilitate the work of law enforcement agencies. A set of NPS has been synthesized, identified, and characterized by various analytical methods in order to be used as certified reference standards (CRMs). Seven selected compounds (5-IT, NM-2201, MT-45, AB-CHMINACA, UR-144, 5F-PB-22, and 4-CMC) were synthesized on the laboratory scale, then the process was upscaled to semi-technical. All products were analyzed by electrospray Q/TOF-MS/MS for molecular structure identification. The presence of by-products, as well as metal impurities, arising from the performed syntheses, were characterized by reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with DAD and Q/TOF-MS detection and inductively-coupled plasma with quadrupole mass spectrometer (ICP-QMS), respectively. Additionally, the crystal structures of UR-144, NM-2201, 5F-PB-22, and 4-CMC have been determined by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction.
Highlights
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a large group of chemical compounds that have been available on the world market since the beginning of the twenty-first century1,2
The combination of analytical instrumental techniques and X-ray diffraction may allow for rapid and credible studies of evidence collected at the crime scene
We have synthesized seven new psychoactive substances (NPS) widely circulating on worldwide black markets1,2 and belonging to 4 diverse groups: synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, phenethylamine, and piperazine derivatives (Figure 1)
Summary
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a large group of chemical compounds that have been available on the world market since the beginning of the twenty-first century. New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a large group of chemical compounds that have been available on the world market since the beginning of the twenty-first century1,2 They differ in composition, but have one common feature: they affect the central nervous system (CNS) of a human in a similar manner to previously known “classical” drugs. These substances are both synthetic and obtained from plants. The majority of new drugs on the market in Poland (and throughout Europe) are synthetic cannabinoids, introduced as a legal alternative to marijuana, and cathinones, legal substitutes for amphetamines (DeRuiter et al, 1994)
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