Analytical characterization of three cathinone derivatives, 4‐MPD, 4F–PHP and bk‐EPDP,purchased as bulk powder from online vendors

Novel emerging drugs of abuse, also referred as new psychoactive substances, constitute an ever‐changing mixture of chemical compounds designed to circumvent legislative controls by means of chemical modifications of previously banned recreational drugs. One such class, synthetic cathinones, namely β‐keto derivatives of amphetamines, has been largely abused over the past decade. A number of new synthetic cathinones are detected each year, either in bulk powders/crystals or in biological matrices. It is therefore important to continuously monitor the supply of new synthetic derivatives and promptly report them. By using complementary analytical techniques (i.e. one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR, FT‐IR, GC–MS, HRMS and HPLC‐UV), this study investigates the detection, identification and full characterization of 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐2‐(methylamino)pentanone (4‐methylpentedrone, 4‐MPD), 1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)hexanone (4F–PHP) and 1‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐2‐(ethylamino)‐1‐pentanone (bk‐EPDP), three emerging cathinone derivatives.     

Identification of five substituted phenethylamine derivatives 5‐MAPDB, 5‐AEDB,MDMA methylene homolog, 6‐Br‐MDMA,and 5‐APB‐NBOMe

This paper reports analytical properties of five substituted phenethylamine derivatives seized from a clandestine laboratory. These five derivatives include 5‐(2‐methylaminopropyl)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran (5‐MAPDB, 1 ), 5‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran (5‐AEDB, 2 ), N ,2‐dimethyl‐3‐(3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl)propan‐1‐amine (MDMA methylene homolog, 3 ), 6‐bromo‐3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (6‐Br‐MDMA, 4 ), and 1‐(benzofuran‐5‐yl)‐N ‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)propan‐2‐amine (5‐APB‐NBOMe, 5 ). These compounds were identified by liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). No analytical properties about compounds 1‐4 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and analytical characterization of four synthetic cannabinoids ADB‐BICA,NNL‐1, NNL‐2, and PPA(N)‐2201

Since the first appearance as psychotropic drugs in illegal markets in 2008, the spread of synthetic cannabinoids is becoming a serious problem in many countries. This paper reports on the analytical properties and structure elucidation of four cannabimimetic derivatives in seized material: 1‐benzyl‐N ‐(1‐carbamoyl‐2,2‐dimethylpropan‐1‐yl)‐1H ‐indole‐3‐carboxamide (ADB‐BICA, 1 ), N ‐(1‐carbamoylpropan‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H ‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide (NNL‐1, 2 ), (4‐benzylpiperazin‐1‐yl)(1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H ‐indol‐3‐yl)methanone (NNL‐2, 3 ), and N ‐(1‐carbamoyl‐2‐phenylethyl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H ‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide (PPA(N)‐2201, 4) . The identifications were based on liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. No chemical or pharmacological data about compounds 1–3 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The GC‐MS data of 4 has been reported, but this study added the LC‐MS, FT‐IR, and NMR data for additional characterization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and characterization of an imidazolium by‐product formed during the synthesis of 4‐methylmethcathinone (mephedrone)

4‐Methylmethcathinone (2‐methylamino‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)propan‐1‐one, mephedrone) is a psychoactive substance that has been associated with recreational use worldwide. Analytical data related to mephedrone are abundantly available but the characterization of by‐products obtained during organic synthesis remains to be explored. This study presents the identification of a 1,2,3,5‐tetramethyl‐4‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium salt (TMMPI), which was formed during the synthesis of mephedrone. When diethyl ether was added to the crude reaction product, solid material precipitated from the solution. Analytical characterization of TMMPI employed a range of analytical techniques including chromatographic analysis in combination with various mass spectrometric detection methods, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and crystal structure analysis. Additional confirmation was obtained from organic synthesis of the imidazolium by‐product. When TMMPI was subjected to analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), isomerization and degradation into two distinct compounds were observed, which pointed towards thermal instability under GC conditions. A liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) based investigation into a micro‐scale synthesis of mephedrone and three additional analogues revealed that the corresponding TMMPI analogue was formed. Interestingly, storage of mephedrone freebase in a number of organic solvents also gave rise to TMMPI and it appeared that its formation during storage was significantly reduced in the absence of air. The present study aimed to support clandestine forensic investigations by employing analytical strategies that are applicable to manufacturing sites. The imidazolium salts will most likely be found amongst the waste products of any clandestine lab site under investigation rather than with the desired product. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and analytical characterization of six synthetic cannabinoids NNL‐3, 5F–NPB‐22‐7N, 5F–AKB‐48‐7N, 5F–EDMB‐PINACA,EMB‐FUBINACA,and EG‐018

Clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories are continuously confronted by analytical challenges when dealing with the new psychoactive substances phenomenon. The number of synthetic cannabinoids, the chemical diversity, and the speed of emergence make this group of compounds particularly challenging in terms of detection, monitoring, and responding. Three indazole 7N positional isomer synthetic cannabinoids, two ethyl 2‐amino‐3‐methylbutanoate‐type synthetic cannabinoids, and one 9H –carbazole substituted synthetic cannabinoid were identified in seized materials. These six synthetic cannabinoid derivatives included: 1H –benzo[d ] [1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl 1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –pyrrolo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐3‐carboxylate (NNL‐3, 1 ), quinolin‐8‐yl 1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –pyrrolo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐3‐carboxylate (5F–NPB‐22‐7N , 2 ), N ‐((1 s,3 s)‐adamantan‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –pyrrolo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide (5F–AKB‐48‐7N , 3 ), ethyl 2‐(1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –indazole‐3‐carboxamido)‐3,3‐dimethylbutanoate (5F–EDMB‐PINACA, 4 ), ethyl 2‐(1‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)‐1H –indazole‐3‐carboxamido)‐3‐methylbutanoate (EMB‐FUBINACA, 5 ), and naphthalen‐1‐yl(9‐pentyl‐9H ‐carbazol‐3‐yl)methanone (EG‐018, 6 ). The identification was based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The analytical characterization of these six synthetic cannabinoids was described, so as to assist forensic laboratories in identifying these compounds or other substances with similar structure in their case work. To our knowledge, no analytical data about the compounds 1 – 5 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The GC–MS data of 6 has been reported, but this study added the LC–MS, NMR, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), data to render the analytical data collection process more complete. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of deuterium‐labelled standards of (±)‐DOM and (±)‐MMDA

This study describes the synthesis of deuterium‐labelled (±)‐4‐methyl‐2,5‐dimethoxyamphetamine (DOM) and (±)‐1‐(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)propan‐2‐amine (MMDA). The isotopically labelled compounds are potentially used as internal standards in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) assays. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elucidation of the metabolites of the novel psychoactive substance 4‐methyl‐N‐ethyl‐cathinone (4‐MEC) in human urine and pooled liver microsomes by GC‐MS and LC‐HR‐MS/MS techniques and of its detectability by GC‐MS or LC‐MSn standard screening approaches

4‐methyl‐N‐ethcathinone (4‐MEC), the N‐ethyl homologue of mephedrone, is a novel psychoactive substance of the beta‐keto amphetamine (cathinone) group. The aim of the present work was to study the phase I and phase II metabolism of 4‐MEC in human urine as well as in pooled human liver microsome (pHLM) incubations. The urine samples were worked up with and without enzymatic cleavage, the pHLM incubations by simple deproteinization. The metabolites were separated and identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS). Based on the metabolites identified in urine and/or pHLM, the following metabolic pathways could be proposed: reduction of the keto group, N‐deethylation, hydroxylation of the 4‐methyl group followed by further oxidation to the corresponding 4‐carboxy metabolite, and combinations of these steps. Glucuronidation could only be observed for the hydroxy metabolite. These pathways were similar to those described for the N‐methyl homologue mephedrone and other related drugs. In pHLM, all phase I metabolites with the exception of the N‐deethyl‐dihydro isomers and the 4‐carboxy‐dihydro metabolite could be confirmed. Glucuronides could not be formed under the applied conditions. Although the taken dose was not clear, an intake of 4‐MEC should be detectable in urine by the GC‐MS and LC‐MSⁿ standard urine screening approaches at least after overdose. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural characterization and pharmacological evaluation of the new synthetic cannabinoid CUMYL‐PEGACLONE

The number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that have emerged on the European market has been rapidly growing in recent years, with a particularly high number of new compounds from the group of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists. There have been various political efforts to control the trade and the use of NPS worldwide. In Germany, the Act to control the distribution of new psychoactive substances (NpSG) came into force in November 2016. In this new act, two groups of substances were defined, the group “cannabimimetics/synthetic cannabinoids” covering indole, indazole, and benzimidazole core structures, and a second group named “compounds derived from 2‐phenethylamine.” Shortly after, the first retailers of “herbal blends” promoted new products allegedly not violating the German NpSG. We describe the identification and structural elucidation of one of the first synthetic cannabinoids not being covered by the NpSG, 5‐pentyl‐2‐(2‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrido[4,3‐b]indol‐1‐one. For isolation of the substance a flash chromatography separation was applied. The structure elucidation was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gas chromatography‐solid state infrared spectroscopy (GC–sIR), liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–quadrupole time of flight–mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–qToF–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Additionally, binding affinity towards the cannabinoid receptors CB₁ and CB₂ and efficacy in a cAMP accumulation assay were measured, showing full agonistic activity and high potency at both receptors. The new compound bears a γ‐carboline core structure circumventing the German NpSG and the generic definitions in other national laws. As a semi‐systematic name for 2‐cumyl‐5‐pe ntyl‐ga mma‐c arbol in‐1‐one CUMYL‐PEGACLONE is suggested.     

Identification of the anabolic steroid 6β‐chlorotestosterone in a dietary supplement

Capsules that were labeled to be performance‐enhancing dietary supplements obtained during an investigation were found to contain an unrecognized steroid‐like substance. This compound was isolated by liquid chromatography (LC) fraction collection and characterized using several qualitative analytical techniques, including ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), liquid chromatography‐high resolution accurate mass‐mass spectrometry (LC–HRAM–MS), as well as ¹H, ¹³C, and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. This multi‐technique analytical approach was used to identify the designer steroid as 6β‐chloro‐4‐androsten‐17β‐ol‐3‐one (6β‐chlorotestosterone), an analog of testosterone about which little has been published.     

Metabolism of the tryptamine‐derived new psychoactive substances 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT, 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT,and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT and their detectability in urine studied by GC–MS,LC–MSn,and LC‐HR‐MS/MS

Many N,N‐dialkylated tryptamines show psychoactive properties and were encountered as new psychoactive substances. The aims of the presented work were to study the phase I and II metabolism and the detectability in standard urine screening approaches (SUSA) of 5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐N,N‐diallyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT), 5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐N‐allyl‐N‐cyclohexyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT), and 5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐N,N‐diisopropyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), liquid chromatography coupled with multistage accurate mass spectrometry (LC–MSⁿ), and liquid chromatography‐high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS). For metabolism studies, urine was collected over a 24 h period after administration of the compounds to male Wistar rats at 20 mg/kg body weight (BW). Phase I and II metabolites were identified after urine precipitation with acetonitrile by LC‐HR‐MS/MS. 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT (24 phase I and 12 phase II metabolites), 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT (24 phase I and 14 phase II metabolites), and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT (20 phase I and 11 phase II metabolites) were mainly metabolized by O‐demethylation, hydroxylation, N‐dealkylation, and combinations of them as well as by glucuronidation and sulfation of phase I metabolites. Incubations with mixtures of pooled human liver microsomes and cytosols (pHLM and pHLC) confirmed that the main metabolic reactions in humans and rats might be identical. Furthermore, initial CYP activity screenings revealed that CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 were involved in hydroxylation, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 in O‐demethylation, and CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 in N‐dealkylation. For SUSAs, GC–MS, LC‐MSⁿ, and LC‐HR‐MS/MS were applied to rat urine samples after 1 or 0.1 mg/kg BW doses, respectively. In contrast to the GC–MS SUSA, both LC–MS SUSAs were able to detect an intake of 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT via their metabolites following 1 mg/kg BW administrations and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT following 0.1 mg/kg BW dosage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prediction of designer drugs: Synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of synthetic cathinone analogs that may appear on the Swedish drug market

The use of hyphenated analytical techniques in forensic drug screening enables simultaneous identification of a wide range of different compounds. However, the appearance of drug seizures containing new substances, mainly new psychoactive substances (NPS), is steadily increasing. These new and other already known substances often possess structural similarities and consequently they exhibit spectral data with slight differences. This situation has made the criteria that ensure indubitable identification of compounds increasingly important. In this work, 6 new synthetic cathinones that have not yet appeared in any Swedish drug seizures were synthesized. Their chemical structures were similar to those of already known cathinone analogs of which 42 were also included in the study. Hence, a total of 48 synthetic cathinones making up sets of homologous and regioisomeric compounds were used to challenge the capabilities of various analytical techniques commonly applied in forensic drug screening, ie, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gas chromatography–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC–FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS). Special attention was paid to the capabilities of GC–MS and GC–FTIR to distinguish between the synthetic cathinones and the results showed that neither GC–MS nor GC–FTIR alone can successfully differentiate between all synthetic cathinones. However, the 2 techniques proved to be complementary and their combined use is therefore beneficial. For example, the structural homologs were better differentiated by GC–MS, while GC–FTIR performed better for the regioisomers. Further, new spectroscopic data of the synthesized cathinone analogs is hereby presented for the forensic community. The synthetic work also showed that cathinone reference compounds can be produced in few reaction steps.     

Studies on the metabolism and detectability of the designer drug β‐naphyrone in rat urine using GC‐MS and LC‐HR‐MS/MS

Naphyrone (1‐naphthalen‐2‐yl‐2‐pyrrolidin‐1‐yl‐pentan‐1‐one; naphthylpyrovalerone, β‐naphyrone) is a cathinone designer drug and was marketed as replacement for the synthetic cathinone derivative mephedrone. Meanwhile, naphyrone is also classified as a controlled drug in several countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the metabolites of naphyrone in rat urine using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry techniques and to show its detectability in urine samples. The following metabolic steps could be detected in rat urine: oxidation of the pyrrolidine ring to the corresponding lactam, hydroxylation of the propyl side chain and the naphthyl ring, degradation to the primary amines after opening of the pyrrolidine ring, and combinations of these steps. Assuming similar kinetics, an intake of naphyrone should be detectable in human urine mainly via its metabolites. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of the designer steroid Androsta‐3,5‐diene‐7,17‐dione in a dietary supplement

A liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS) screen for known anabolic‐androgenic steroids in a dietary supplement product marketed for “performance enhancement” detected an unknown compound having steroid‐like spectral characteristics. The compound was isolated using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC–UV) coupled with an analytical scale fraction collector. After the compound was isolated, it was then characterized using gas chromatography with simultaneous Fourier Transform infrared detection and mass spectrometry (GC–FT–IR–MS), liquid chromatography–high resolution accurate mass–mass spectrometry (LC–HRAM–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The steroid had an accurate mass of m/z 285.1847 (error?0.57 ppm) for the protonated species [M + H]⁺, corresponding to a molecular formula of C₁₉H₂₄O₂. Based on the GC–FT–IR–MS data, NMR data, and accurate mass, the compound was identified as androsta‐3,5‐diene‐7,17‐dione. Although this is not the first reported identification of this designer steroid in a dietary supplement, the data provided adds information for identification of this compound not previously reported. This compound was subsequently detected in another dietary supplement product, which contained three additional active ingredients.     

Prediction of designer drugs: synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of synthetic cannabinoid analogues of 1H‐indol‐3‐yl(2,2,3,3‐tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone and 1H‐indol‐3‐yl(adamantan‐1‐yl)methanone

In this work, emergence patterns of synthetic cannabinoids were utilized in an attempt to predict those that may appear on the drug market in the future. Based on this information, two base structures of the synthetic cannabinoid analogues – (1H‐indol‐3‐yl(2,2,3,3‐tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone and 1H‐indol‐3‐yl(adamantan‐1‐yl)methanone) – together with three substituents – butyl, 4‐fluorobutyl and ethyl tetrahydropyran – were selected for synthesis. This resulted in a total of six synthetic cannabinoid analogues that to the authors’ knowledge have not yet appeared on the drug market. Spectroscopic data, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (solid and gas phase), are presented for the synthesized analogues and some additional related cannabinoids. In this context, the suitability of the employed techniques for the identification of unknowns is discussed and the use of GC‐FTIR as a secondary complementary technique to GC‐MS is addressed. Examples of compounds that are difficult to differentiate by their mass spectra, but can be distinguished based upon their gas phase FTIR spectra are presented. Conversely, structural homologues where mass spectra are more powerful than gas phase FTIR spectra for unambiguous assignments are also exemplified. This work further emphasizes that a combination of several techniques is the key to success in structural elucidations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of five pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones and the collision‐induced dissociation of electrospray‐generated pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones

This article reports on the analytical properties of five pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones: α ‐pyrrolidinononaphenone (α ‐PNP, 1 ), 4‐chloro‐α ‐pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4‐Cl‐α ‐PPP, 2 ), 4‐chloro‐α ‐pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4‐Cl‐α ‐PVP, 3 ), 5‐dihydrobenzofuranpyrovalerone (5‐DBFPV, 4 ), and 2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5,6,7,8‐tetrahydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)hexan‐1‐one (β ‐THNPH, 5 ). These identifications were based on liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). To our knowledge, no analytical data about α ‐PNP, 4‐Cl‐α ‐PPP, 4‐Cl‐α ‐PVP, and β ‐THNPH have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. Moreover, in order to study the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) characteristic fragmentation routes of pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones, a total number of 13 pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones were selected and discussed. The major fragmentation pathways under CID mode are produced, leading to the formation of characteristic ions. Product ions of [M‐C₄H₉N]⁺ and C_nH_2nN⁺ indicate the presence of pyrrolidinyl substitution. Characteristic fragments are also produced via the cleavages of the CH–N(CH₂)₄ bond and the CO‐CHN bond. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Test purchase,identification and synthesis of 2‐amino‐1‐(4‐bromo‐2, 5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethan‐1‐one (bk‐2C‐B)

2‐Amino‐1‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethan‐1‐one (bk‐2C‐B) has been recently offered for purchase by a variety of Internet retailers. This substance may be considered a cathinone analogue of the phenethylamine 2‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethan‐1‐amine (2C‐B) which suggests that it may have psychoactive effects in humans. A test purchase of bk‐2C‐B was carried out and its identity was confirmed by a range of analytical techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas and liquid chromatography, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Confirmation was also obtained from the synthesis of bk‐2C‐B based on the implementation of the Delépine reaction in which the α‐brominated intermediate was reacted with hexamethylenetetramine to afford the primary amine. Analysis of underivatized bk‐2C‐B by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) showed that there was potential for artificial formation of 1‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone and a pyrazine dimer, these substances were not detected when employing liquid chromatographic analysis. Ion chromatography and X‐ray crystallography analysis confirmed that the purchased bk‐2C‐B consisted of a hydrochloride and hydrobromide salt mixture, which indicated that it might have been prepared by the hexamethylenetetramine route followed by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of the quaternary ammonium salt. X‐ray crystallography also revealed that the purchased (mixed HCl/HBr salt) and synthesized bk‐2C‐B (HCl salt) exists as polymorphs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of three cannabimimetic indazole and pyrazole derivatives,APINACA 2H‐indazole analogue,AMPPPCA, and 5F‐AMPPPCA

This paper reports analytical properties of three cannabimimetic indazole and pyrazole derivatives seized from a clandestine laboratory. These three new synthetic cannabinoids include N ‐(1‐adamantyl)‐2‐pentyl‐2H ‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide (APINACA 2H ‐indazole analogue, 1 ), N ‐(1‐adamantyl)‐4‐methyl‐1‐pentyl‐5‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide (AMPPPCA, 2 ), and N ‐(1‐adamantyl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐4‐methyl‐5‐phenyl‐1H ‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide (5F‐AMPPPCA, 3 ). These compounds were identified by liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (GC‐TOF‐MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. No analytical properties and pharmacological activities about compounds 1–3 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical characterization of three hallucinogenic N‐(2‐methoxy)benzyl derivatives of the 2C‐series of phenethylamine drugs

This publication reports analytical properties of three new hallucinogenic substances identified in blotter papers seized from the drug market, namely 25D‐NBOMe [2‐(2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylphenyl)‐N‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)ethanamine], 25E‐NBOMe [2‐(4‐ethyl‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐N‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)ethanamine] and 25G‐NBOMe [2‐(2,5‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dimethylphenyl)‐N‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)ethanamine]. These substances are N‐(2‐methoxy)benzyl derivatives of the 2C‐series of phenethylamine drugs. The applied procedure covered a variety of analytical methods, including gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometry (GC‐EI‐MS; without derivatization and after derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA)), liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which made it possible to identify the active components unequivocally. The GC‐MS spectra of analyzed compounds were very similar, with dominant ions observed at m/z = 150, 121, and 91. The remaining ions were analogous to those observed for parent substances, namely 2C‐D, 2C‐E, 2C‐G, but their intensities were low. Derivatization allowed determination of molecular masses of the investigated substances. Their exact masses and chemical formulas were confirmed by LC‐QTOF‐MS experiments and the fragmentation patterns of these compounds following ESI were determined. The tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments confirmed that the studied substances were N‐(2‐methoxy)benzyl derivatives of the 2C‐series compounds. Final elucidation of the structures was performed by NMR spectroscopy. The substances were also characterized by FTIR spectroscopy to corroborate the identity of the compounds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of tritium labeled N‐((R)‐1‐((S)‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐3,3‐dimethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐3‐sulfamoylbenzamide

N‐((R)‐1‐((S)‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐3,3‐dimethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐3‐sulfamoylbenzamide is a potent C‐C chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) antagonist. The compound, possessing benzamide functionality, successfully underwent tritium/hydrogen (T/H) exchange with an organoiridium catalyst (Crabtree's catalyst). The labeling pattern in the product was studied with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and ³H‐NMR. Overall, multiple labeled species were identified. In addition to the anticipated incorporation of tritium in the benzamide moiety, tritium labeling was observed in the valine portion of the molecule including substitution at its chiral carbon. Using authentic standards, liquid chromatography analysis of the labeled compound showed complete retention of stereochemical configuration.     

Sulfate metabolites as alternative markers for the detection of 4‐chlorometandienone misuse in doping control

Sulfate metabolites have been described as long‐term metabolites for some anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). 4‐chlorometandienone (4Cl‐MTD) is one of the most frequently detected AAS in sports drug testing and it is commonly detected by monitoring metabolites excreted free or conjugated with glucuronic acid. Sulfation reactions of 4Cl‐MTD have not been studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the sulfate fraction of 4Cl‐MTD metabolism by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) to establish potential long‐term metabolites valuable for doping control purposes. 4Cl‐MTD was administered to two healthy male volunteers and urine samples were collected up to 8 days after administration. A theoretical selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method working in negative mode was developed. Ion transitions were based on ionization and fragmentation behaviour of sulfate metabolites as well as specific neutral losses (NL of 15 Da and NL of 36 Da) of compounds with related chemical structure. Six sulfate metabolites were detected after the analysis of excretion study samples. Three of the identified metabolites were characterized by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS). Results showed that five out of the six identified sulfate metabolites were detected in urine up to the last collected samples from both excretion studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.