The discrimination of a cross section cathinone regioisomers, sold as 'legal highs', using Raman spectroscopy, is reported here. Mephedrone and flephedrone were identified in high' products Irish head shops, their 2, 3 4-isomers synthesized reference standards. 3,4-methylenedioxy substituted cathinones, methylone, butylone methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), also highs' 2,3-isomers for comparison. In addition, alpha- beta-naphyrone synthesized. spectra all the isomers obtained far-red...

During the second half of 2013, a total 26 deaths involving para ‐methyl‐4‐methylaminorex (4,4'‐DMAR) were reported to European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. While aminorex 4‐methylaminorex (4‐MAR) are known psychostimulants, nothing is about comparatively new ‐methyl analog. Analytical characterization two independent samples obtained from online vendors confirmed presence (±)‐ cis isomer that also appeared be associated with at least 18 deaths. Extensive characterizations...

The structurally diverse nature of the 1,2-diphenylethylamine template provides access to a range substances for drug discovery work but some have attracted attention as 'research chemicals'. most recent examples include diphenidine, i.e. 1-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperidine and 2-methoxydiphenidine, 1-[1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylethyl]piperidine (MXP, methoxyphenidine, 2-MXP) that been associated with uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist activity. Analytical challenges...

RATIONALE Amphetamine‐like cathinone derivatives have become popular as recreational drugs over the past several years but their identification for forensic purposes is made difficult they undergo extensive fragmentation under commonly used electron ionization (EI) conditions to afford ambiguous mass spectra. To overcome this, feasibility of using positive electrospray (ESI) with in‐source collision‐induced dissociation (CID) produce distinguishable product ion spectra was examined. METHODS...

The emergence of ‘legal highs’ or ‘new psychoactive substances’ (NPS) on the Irish market is reflective their appearance in many countries, with some notable exceptions. official response to situation examined here by looking at controlled drugs legislation and drug enforcement policies as enacted recent years effects academic research NPS. philosophy practice outright bans scheduled substances has not been effective delivering stated aims illicit control, namely harm reduction. With these...

3-Methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mexedrone) appeared in 2015 and was advertised by UK Internet retailers as a non-controlled mephedrone derivative (2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one), which of particular interest to countries who operate generic drugs legislation. This study describes the synthesis analytical characterization mexedrone differentiation from its isomer, N-methoxymephedrone, predicted be suitable candidate before identity revealed. A full...

Substances with the diphenylethylamine nucleus represent a recent addition to product catalog of dissociative agents sold as 'research chemicals' on Internet. Diphenidine, i.e. 1-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperidine (1,2-DEP), is such an example but detailed analytical data are less abundant. The present study describes synthesis diphenidine and its most obvious isomer, 1-(2,2-diphenylethyl)piperidine (2,2-DEP), in order assess ability differentiate between them. Preparation characterization were...

This study presents the identification of N ‐(1‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(cyclohexylmethyl)‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1 H ‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxamide that was termed 3,5‐AB‐CHMFUPPYCA. compound obtained from a UK‐based Internet vendor, who erroneously advertised this ‘research chemical’ as AZ‐037 and which would have been associated with ( S )‐ ‐(1‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐5‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1 ‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide. The presence pyrazole core indicates bioisosteric...

The ring‐substituted cathinone – mephedrone has gained popularity among recreational drug users over the past several years. It is generally consumed orally or by snorting but reports indicate that it also ingested vaporization/inhalation. This study examines pyrolysis products produced heating under using simulated ‘meth pipe’ conditions. Thirteen were identified, major ones being iso ‐mephedrone, 4‐methylpropiophenone, 4‐methylphenylacetone, two pyrazine derivatives formed dimerization of...

The recent occurrence of deaths associated with the psychostimulant cis ‐4,4′‐dimethylaminorex (4,4′‐DMAR) in Europe indicated presence a newly emerged psychoactive substance on market. Subsequently, existence 3,4‐methylenedioxy‐4‐methylaminorex (MDMAR) has come to authors' attention and this study describes synthesis ‐ trans ‐MDMAR followed by extensive characterization chromatographic, spectroscopic, mass spectrometric platforms crystal structure analysis. MDMAR obtained from an online...

1-Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) is an internationally monitored precursor that has become increasingly difficult for illicit amphetamine producers to source, which means alternative routes its preparation have important. One such approach includes the hydrolysis of alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile (APAAN) with sulfuric acid. Previously, we reported identification 4,6-dimethyl-3,5-diphenylpryid-2-one following implementation conditions and it was proposed this compound might serve as one route...

Misuse of (±)‐ threo ‐methylphenidate (methyl‐2‐phenyl‐2‐(piperidin‐2‐yl)acetate; Ritalin®; MPH) has long been acknowledged, but the appearance MPH analogs in form ‘research chemicals’ only emerged more recent years. 4‐Fluoromethylphenidate (4F‐MPH) is one these examples. This study presents identification and analytical characterization two powdered 4F‐MPH products that were obtained from an online vendor 2015. Interestingly, appeared to have originated distinct batches given product...

The knowledge captured in patent and scientific research literature stimulates new ideas fosters drug development efforts. Manufacturers entrepreneurs dedicated to the sale of 'research chemicals' and/or psychoactive substances (NPS) also make use access information identify, prepare, launch a range substances. One most recent compounds appear on NPS market is phenmetrazine analog 3-fluorophenmetrazine (3-FPM) which represents one many phenylmorpholines designed explore treatment options...

In 2012, 5‐(2‐aminopropyl)indole (5‐API, 5‐IT) was reported by Norwegian authorities to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) via Early Warning System (EWS). The 3‐ isomer, 3‐(2‐aminopropyl)indole (3‐API, AMT, alpha ‐methyltryptamine), has been available on recreational drugs market a somewhat longer time, having first EMCDDA Finnish in 2001. Both isomers are from online vendors of ‘legal highs’. Recently, three forensic drug cases (two tablets one powder) were...

A case study is presented where a woman travelling from South America to the Republic of Ireland was detained at Dublin Airport and articles clothing she had in her luggage were found be impregnated with cocaine. The shows that amount powder recovered garments approximately 14% total weight garments. cocaine form hydrochloride purity 80%. An examination under filtered light highlighted areas exposed indicated method impregnation by pouring liquid containing onto clothing.

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 cathinone analogue the phenethylamine 2‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethan‐1‐amine (2C‐B) which suggests that it have psychoactive effects in humans. A test bk‐2C‐B was carried out and its identity confirmed range analytical techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas liquid chromatography,...

This perspective examines amphetamine importations into Ireland. Some novel by-products were detected and linked to a change in the method of production P2P from APAAN. These remained present during subsequent Leuckart reaction conditions. Novel substituted cathinone synthesis reactions also isolated characterized.

Three legal highs; nitracaine (3‐(diethylamino)‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl 4‐nitrobenzoate), methoxypiperamide (MEOP, (4‐methoxyphenyl)(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methanone) and mephtetramine (MTTA, 2‐((methylamino)methyl)‐3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one) appeared in 2013 as new psychoactive substances (NPS) on Internet websites selling ‘research chemicals’. These compounds were synthesized analyzed via our synthesize, analyze, metabolize (SAM) protocol. Nitracaine was by the transesterification of...

Abstract The identification of tert ‐butyl‐4‐anilinopiperidine‐1‐carboxylate (4‐anilinopiperdine‐ t ‐BOC or 4‐AP‐ ‐BOC) in many seized falsified ‘Xanax’ tablets has been reported after being encountered forensic casework late 2019 and early 2020 Ireland. This substance was also detected a pink powder submitted for analysis March 2020. part larger seizure comprising brown powders which contained morphine diamorphine (heroin) type counterfeit heroin adulterant (known as ‘bash’). Novel...