Identification Of Synthetic Cathinones Research Articles

Identification of Synthetic Cathinones in Unknown Substances in Sri Lanka

There is a high tendency of ‘legal highs’ entering the local drug market. Most of the countries including Sri Lanka have controlled these drugs, because of their adverse side effects. 4-Methyl methcathinone, (4-MMC, Mephedrone) and 3-Methyl methcathinone (3-MMC, Mataphedrone) are psychoactive substances categorized under the group of synthetic cathinones. These drugs are commonly available in powder forms and crystalline forms and produce effects similar to those of MDMA, amphetamines and cocaine. Three cases containing unknown substances were submitted to the Narcotics Laboratory of the Government Analyst’s Department of Sri Lanka for further examination to find out the presence of narcotic drugs if any. Comprehensive analytical scheme including TLC, UV- Visible spectroscopy, GC-MS and RAMAN spectroscopy was applied for the qualitative analysis. The results obtained from TLC, UV-Visible, GC-MS, and RAMAN spectroscopy, confirmed the presence of Mephedrone (4-MMC) and Metaphedrone (3-MMC) in the unknown substances, and 3-MMC and 4-MMC were identified for the first time in Sri Lanka at the Government Analyst’s Department. Even though, Mephedrone is a controlled substance in Sri Lanka, 3-MMC is still not included as a controlled substance. Therefore, it is high time for Sri Lankan legal authorities to pay more attention in controlling New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

Determination of Synthetic Cathinones in Biological Samples via Modern Separation and Electrochemical Methods

Synthetic cathinones represent one of the main groups of new psychoactive substances. The variety and rapid distribution of the synthetic cathinones on the drug market can be explained by an easy modification of their structure and the insufficient legislation. This fact requires the development of new selective and effective analytical methods for monitoring the synthetic cathinone in biological samples. This report summarizes the current knowledge concerning the identification of synthetic cathinones, including their structure and effects. Separation methods are the most widely used techniques for the ana­lysis of synthetic cathinones in biological samples. The development of the sensor systems based on electrochemical principles can be a great contribution for forensic analysis in the future.

Identification of synthetic cathinones in seized materials: A review of analytical strategies applied in forensic chemistry

AbstractSynthetic cathinones are a class of novel psychoactive substances, commonly tested in seized materials by forensic chemistry laboratories. These drugs have been found in different types of seized materials including powders, tablets, liquids, herbs, and blotters. A comprehensive review of the literature shows that the analyses of synthetic cathinones have been performed by a diverse repertoire of techniques, from more traditional to emerging methods. Techniques commonly used in the analysis of “traditional” illicit drugs, such as color and microcrystalline tests, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry (MS), and infrared (IR), and Raman spectroscopies, have been used for screening and/or confirmatory purposes, depending on the technique and laboratories preference. However, other emerging techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, high‐resolution MS, direct analysis in real‐time MS, gas chromatography with IR detection, and so on, have been drawing the attention of forensic scientists due to the advantages of these techniques in providing important structural data. It is important to consider that each technique presents analytical benefits and limitations, which should be considered when analyzing synthetic cathinones in seized materials. Furthermore, the combination of more than one analytical technique is always recommended, especially when an unknown synthetic cathinone is suspected and/or encountered in the sample.This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Controlled and Emerging Drug Compounds Toxicology > New Psychoactive Substances Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods

Preliminary study on the identification of synthetic cathinones in street seized samples by Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics

AbstractSynthetic cathinones are new psychoactive substances that are a menace to public health worldwide and a real forensic challenge. Given the recent changes in the Brazilian legislation that bans the generic structure of these substances, the forensic workflow of drug analysis has the opportunity to speed up the arrests by in loco screening analysis. This preliminary study investigated the use of portable Raman spectrometer and chemometrics for fast, direct, and non‐destructive presumptive identification of three synthetic cathinones in seized packages and confirmatory analysis using FTIR. The 40 samples were analyzed directly and included three 3,4‐methylenodioxy substituted cathinones and other legal and illegal substances that were identified by two police forces in Brazil. Due to lack of reference Raman spectra, a purification step of the cathinone samples was performed. PCA showed that the spectral region 1,560–1750 cm−1 was the most important region for differentiating these types of cathinones from the other substances. MCR‐ALS was used to resolve the spectral mixture of signals from adulterants and identify the presence of cathinones in the seizures. The purified spectra were used as initial estimates. The concentration profiles for each component indicated significant contributions of two characteristic bands around 1,606 and 1,680 cm−1. Additionally, analysis of the optimized spectral profiles showed Raman shifts and differences in the relative intensity of those bands which allowed discrimination among the samples. Band attribution of infrared spectra confirmed the results obtained with screening method. The method proposed has potential for objective and contactless identification of seized synthetic cathinones.

The separation and identification of synthetic cathinones by portable low microflow liquid chromatography with dual capillary columns in series and dual wavelength ultraviolet detection.

This study ascertained the viability of a portable liquid chromatograph, operating at low microliter per minute flow, for the analysis of seized drugs at remote sites as well as in laboratory settings. Synthetic cathinones were screened using dual capillary columns in series, C8 and biphenyl, with on-column ultraviolet detection at 255 and 275nm. The relative retention times of the two columns in series and their peak area absorbance ratio were used to determine if the 16 synthetic cathinones investigated could be uniquely identified in these conditions. Based on these parameters all of the analytes could be distinguished. Representative mixtures of synthetic cathinones were used to determine the repeatability, linearity, and limits of detection of the method. This cost effective and green instrumentation has the potential to satisfy minimum international guidelines for the analysis of seized drugs.