Abstract
The innovation of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market requires the rapid identification of new substances that can be a risk to public health, in order to reduce the damage from their use. Twelve seized products suspected to contain illicit substances were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Synthetic cathinones (SCat) were found in all products, either as a single component or in mixtures. Infrared spectra of all products were consistent with the molecular structure of SCat, showing an intense absorption band at 1700–1674 cm−1, corresponding to the carbonyl stretching, a medium/strong peak at 1605–1580 cm−1, indicating stretching vibrations in the aromatic ring (C=C) and bands with relative low intensity at frequencies near 2700–2400 cm−1, corresponding to an amine salt. It was possible to identify a total of eight cathinone derivatives by GC-MS and NMR analysis: 4′-methyl-α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (MPHP), α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP), 3-fluoromethcathinone (3-FMC), methedrone, methylone, buphedrone, N-ethylcathinone, and pentedrone. Among the adulterants found in these samples, caffeine was the most frequently detected substance, followed by ethylphenidate. These results highlight the prevalence of SCat in seized materials of the Portuguese market. Reference standards are usually required for confirmation, but when reference materials are not available, the combination of complementary techniques is fundamental for a rapid and an unequivocal identification of such substances.
Highlights
In the last two decades, a tremendous change in the illicit drug market has become evident, with the emergence of a “new generation” of psychoactive substances [1]
The composition indicated on the packaging of the tablets was more elaborated, with the information of the active principle and of other excipients related to the production of the tablets
The methylenedioxy group attached to aromatic ring was identified by the singlet at 6.14 ppm (H-7 ), while the methine proton (H-2) located between the carbonyl group and the nitrogen atom were observed at 5.06 ppm, which is in agreement with the results reported in the literature [33,48,49]
Summary
In the last two decades, a tremendous change in the illicit drug market has become evident, with the emergence of a “new generation” of psychoactive substances [1]. Mimicking the effects of illicit drugs, and sometimes being traded alongside them, these NPS have introduced many challenges to legal systems, as well as emergency and drug treatment services [2]. Among these substances, SCat rapidly gained popularity, especially among young people, and currently constitute the second largest group of NPS monitored in Europe, with almost 140 identified substances so far [3,4]. Metabolites 2021, 11, 144 among young people, and currently constitute the second largest group of NPS moni2toorfe1d9 in Europe, with almost 140 identified substances so far [3,4]. Natural cathinone, which is the major active component of the Khat plant (Catha edulis Forsk), has been used as a prototype for the development of numerous synthetic derivdateirvievsat[i5v,6es].[I5n,6g].enInergaeln, feuranlc,tfiuonncatliognroaul pgrsouubpstsiutubtsitoitnustiionntshienctahtehicnaothnienoocnceuorcicnutrhirneethdreisedtiinscttinrcetgrioegnisoonfstohfetmheolmecoulelec,unlea,mnealmy ethlye tahmeianmo ignroougpro, uthpe, athlkeyallskiydlescidhaeicnh, aainnd, athnedatrhoeamroamticatriicnrgin(Fgig(Fuigreur1e),1w),hwichhichhahsalsedledtotoa ammuultlittiutuddeeoof fddeerirvivaatitviveessttootthhee ssttrreeeett aanndd ccyybbeerr ddrruugg mmaarrkkeettss [[77,,88]]..
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