Abstract
PurposeIn this study, we performed identification and physicochemical characterization of two cathinone derivatives, 4-FPD and 4-MEAP, found in market-available materials.MethodsThe compounds were characterized by electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) in MS2 and MS3 modes, gas chromatography–MS, infrared, Raman and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies, X-ray crystallography, differential scanning calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.ResultsWe could obtain detailed and comprehensive physicochemical characterization of 4-FPD and 4-MEAP—new cathinone derivatives available on the designer drugs market.ConclusionsDynamic growth in the number of psychoactive substances available on the designer drug markets makes it compulsory to obtain analytical data allowing unequivocal identification of these drugs in the fastest possible way. In this study we presented analytical data useful in quick identification of the investigated compounds.
Highlights
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have been progressively replacing classical narcotics on the illegal drug market
Synthetic cathinones are akin to amphetamines, and the only difference between synthetic cathinones and the respective amphetamines is the presence of a carbonyl group in the β-position with respect to the amino group in cathinone derivatives
The spectra were subjected to examination whether they hit specific compounds in the electron ionization (EI)-mass spectrometry (MS) library; as results compounds 1 and 2 were found to be possibly 4-FPD and 4-MEAP, respectively
Summary
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have been progressively replacing classical narcotics on the illegal drug market. Synthetic cathinones are a broad group of “designer drugs“ Biological effects of their action are similar to those caused by amphetamine or cocaine [8, 9]. They are marketed either as collectibles (“not suitable for human consumption”) or as “research chemicals”. Synthetic cathinones are akin to amphetamines, and the only difference between synthetic cathinones and the respective amphetamines is the presence of a carbonyl group in the β-position with respect to the amino group in cathinone derivatives. For this reason, synthetic cathinones are called bk-amphetamines.
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