Work

1H, 13C, 15N HMBC, and 19F NMR spectroscopic characterisation of seized flephedrone, cut with benzocaine

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Flephedrone (4-fluoromethcathinone, 4-FMC) was analysed using (1)H, (13)C, (15)N HMBC, and (19)F observe spectroscopy, gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID), and electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Analysis of four 4-FMC samples (from a Bristol nightclub in 2013) showed that they all contained benzocaine as the cutting agent present in different amounts from 5 to 12%. Using these methods, we successfully differentiated between flephedrone regioisomers and mephedrone in an analytical method validated for flephedrone as a substituted cathinone. The data show that these now illegal cathinone-derived stimulants (highs) are now being cut; users cannot be certain of the purity of the drug they are taking. Furthermore, there are risks from the pharmaceutically active cutting agents themselves.

Source: Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2014.12.033

Authors: Majdah R. Alotaibi, Stephen M. Husbands, Ian S. Blagbrough

Institution: University of Bath

Language: English

Topic: Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

Subfield: Toxicology

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,680