Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of a new cathinone derivative: 1-phenyl-2-(butylamino)hexan-1-one hydrochloride (N-butylhexedrone)

Marcin Rojkiewicz,Joachim Kusz,Piotr Kuś,Aleksander Sochanik,Maria Książek

doi:10.1007/s11419-020-00525-y

Abstract

PurposeIn this study, a new cathinone derivative, N-butylhexedrone, emerged on new psychoactive substances (NPS) market in Poland was described and characterized.MethodsThe compound was analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography and infrared, Raman, ultraviolet-visible and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic approaches.ResultsWe confirmed the presence of the compound in the seized material and obtained detailed and comprehensive physicochemical characterization of N-butylhexedrone—new cathinone derivative available on the NPS market.ConclusionsIn this study, we presented chromatographic, spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of a new cathinone derivative that emerged on the NPS market in 2019. The obtained analytical data should be useful for forensic and toxicological purposes in quick and reliable compound identification.

Highlights

During the last decade, new psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a serious social and legal issue; their widespread availability translates into a serious threat to health and life of humans abusing them
Among compounds that dominate on the present NPS market are synthetic cathinones; their mode of action involves stimulation similar to that exerted by amphetamine or cocaine
Synthetic cathinones are a widespread class of compounds present for years on the NPS market, but successive chemical modifications make them an analytical challenge for toxicologists, medics or law enforcement officers

Summary

Introduction

New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a serious social and legal issue; their widespread availability translates into a serious threat to health and life of humans abusing them. Among compounds that dominate on the present NPS market are synthetic cathinones; their mode of action involves stimulation similar to that exerted by amphetamine or cocaine. Synthetic cathinones are a widespread class of compounds present for years on the NPS market, but successive chemical modifications make them an analytical challenge for toxicologists, medics or law enforcement officers. The study results presented are a continuation of our previous reports concerning NPS and could be used for rapid and unequivocal identification of a given compound in crime investigation and toxicology laboratories [7, 8]. Because the material that has emerged on the NPS market and was seized contains very often crystal particles, generated crystallographic data may be further used for identification [9,10,11]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion