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Dobšíková K, Javorská Ž, Paškan M, Spálovská D, Trembulaková P, Herciková J, Kuchař M, Kozmík V, Kohout M, Setnička V. Enantioseparation and a comprehensive spectroscopic analysis of novel synthetic cathinones laterally substituted with a trifluoromethyl group. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 291:122320. [PMID: 36634495 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.122320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the number of structural modifications of synthetic cathinones has been growing making them the second largest group of new psychoactive substances in Europe. Although they are abused because of their various psychoactive effects, some compounds from this group also serve as pharmaceuticals. Since synthetic cathinones are chiral molecules with one chiral center, their biological, toxicological, and pharmacological properties may significantly differ according to their absolute configuration and enantiomeric excess. In this study, we have synthesized two substances bearing a pharmacologically interesting trifluoromethyl group and developed a chiral liquid chromatography method using a polysaccharide chiral stationary phase to separate the corresponding enantiomers of both these drugs. Subsequently, we utilized molecular spectroscopic methods including chiroptical (electronic circular dichroism and vibrational circular dichroism) and non-polarizable (infrared and ultraviolet absorption) spectroscopies. In combination with density functional theory calculations, we have obtained stable conformers of selected enantiomers in solution and their relative abundances, which we used to simulate their spectra. The experimental and calculated data have been used to elucidate the 3D structure of the enantiomerically pure compounds and assign the absolute configuration of all prepared compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Dobšíková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Ž Javorská
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - M Paškan
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - D Spálovská
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - P Trembulaková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - J Herciková
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - M Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic; Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - V Kozmík
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - M Kohout
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - V Setnička
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic.
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Ioannou KA, Christou A, Stavrou IJ, Schmid MG, Kapnissi-Christodoulou CP. Evaluation of cyclodextrin- and cyclofructan-based chiral selectors for the enantioseparation of psychoactive substances in capillary electrophoresis. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:2392-2401. [PMID: 36189902 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
During this study, a simple and easy-to-prepare electrophoretic method was developed for the enantioseparation of amphetamine and cathinone derivatives. Different types of β-cyclodextrin and cyclofructan-based chiral selectors (CSs), both native and derivatized, were utilized, and the most effective ones, in terms of resolution and analysis time, were identified. In addition, several electrophoretic parameters, such as background electrolyte concentration and pH, and CS concentration, were examined to optimize the separation conditions. Under the optimal electrophoretic conditions, 10 psychoactive substances were enantiomerically separated using 1 mM sulfated cyclofructan-6 (SCF-6) for the amphetamine derivatives and 1 mM sulfated cyclofructan-7 (SCF-7) for the cathinone derivatives dissolved in an aqueous solution of 20-mM monobasic sodium phosphate at pH 2.5, a temperature of 25°C, and an applied voltage of 25 kV. In addition, the method was validated by estimating the intra- and interday precision.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ioannis J Stavrou
- Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Martin G Schmid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Almeida AS, Silva B, de Pinho PG, Remião F, Fernandes C. Synthetic Cathinones: Recent Developments, Enantioselectivity Studies and Enantioseparation Methods. Molecules 2022; 27:2057. [PMID: 35408456 PMCID: PMC9000803 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances represent a public health threat since they are not controlled by international conventions, are easily accessible online and are sold as a legal alternative to illicit drugs. Among them, synthetic cathinones are widely abused due to their stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. To circumvent the law, new derivatives are clandestinely synthesized and, therefore, synthetic cathinones keep emerging on the drug market, with their chemical and toxicological properties still unknown. In this review, a literature assessment about synthetic cathinones is presented focusing on the recent developments, which include more than 50 derivatives since 2014. A summary of their toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic properties are also presented. Furthermore, synthetic cathinones are chiral compounds, meaning that they can exist as two enantiomeric forms which may present different biological and toxicological activities. To analyze the enantiomers, the development of enantiomeric resolution methods for synthetic cathinones is crucial. Many methods have been reported over the years that include mostly chromatographic and electromigration techniques, with liquid chromatography using chiral stationary phases being the technique of choice. This review intended to present an overview of enantioselectivity studies and enantioseparation analysis regarding synthetic cathinones, highlighting the relevance of chirality and current trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Almeida
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.S.A.); (B.S.)
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (P.G.d.P.); (F.R.)
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Silva
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.S.A.); (B.S.)
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (P.G.d.P.); (F.R.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Guedes de Pinho
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (P.G.d.P.); (F.R.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Remião
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (P.G.d.P.); (F.R.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Fernandes
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.S.A.); (B.S.)
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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Schmid MG, Hägele JS. Separation of enantiomers and positional isomers of novel psychoactive substances in solid samples by chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques – A selective review. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1624:461256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Hägele JS, Basrak M, Schmid MG. Enantioselective separation of Novel Psychoactive Substances using a Lux® AMP 3 μm column and HPLC-UV. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 179:112967. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Hägele JS, Seibert E, Schmid MG. A Simple HPLC–UV Approach for Rapid Enantioseparation of Cathinones, Pyrovalerones and Other Novel Psychoactive Substances on a 2.5-µm Cellulose Tris-(3,5-dimethylphenyl-carbamate) Column. Chromatographia 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-020-03860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe misuse of so called novel psychoactive substances is still a challenging problem worldwide. A special attribute of a lot of these compounds is a chiral centre enabling two possible enantiomers probably related to different pharmacological and toxicological properties. The goal of the present study was to present a simple and isocratic HPLC–UV method for enantioseparation of mainly cathinone and pyrovalerone derivatives as well as selected representatives of amphetamines, ketamines, benzofuries, phenidines, phenidates, morpholines and thiophenes. A Waters Acquity UPC2® Trefoil™ CEL1 2.5 µm, 3.0 × 150 mm column served as chiral stationary phase by means of cellulose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) as chiral selector. Mobile phases consisted either of n-hexane/n-butanol/diethylamine (100:0.3:0.2) or n-hexane/diethylamine (100:0.2). The method was found to be applicable for rapid simultaneous chiral separations of cathinone derivatives, to determine enantiomeric elution orders, to detect positional isomers and to identify real-life samples. Also, a repeatability study was performed successfully. 78 out of 95 compounds were separated in their enantiomers successfully, 51 of them within 6 min. It was shown that all NPS bought from online vendors or seized by police were traded as racemic mixtures.
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Hägele JS, Hubner E, Schmid MG. Chiral separation of cathinone derivatives using β-cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoresis-Comparison of four different β-cyclodextrin derivatives used as chiral selectors. Electrophoresis 2019; 40:1787-1794. [PMID: 31141181 PMCID: PMC6771503 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201900085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, more than 100 different cathinone derivatives slopped over entire Europe due to their enormous popularity. Generally, these novel psychoactive substances are easily available via the internet. This fact leads to various social problems, since cathinones are substances with consciousness-changing effects and are mainly misused for recreational matters by their consumers. Cathinones possess a chiral center including two enantiomeric forms with potentially different pharmacological behavior. This fact makes analytical method development regarding their chiral separation indispensable. In this study, a chiral capillary zone electrophoresis method for the enantioseparation of 61 cathinone and pyrovalerone derivatives was developed by means of four different β-cyclodextrin derivatives. As chiral selectors, native β-cyclodextrin as well as three of its derivatives namely acetyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin were used. The cathinone and pyrovalerone derivatives were either purchased in internet stores or seized by police. As a result, overall 58 of 61 studied substances were partially or baseline separated by at least one of the four chiral selectors using 10 mM of β-cyclodextrin derivative in a 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2.5). Furthermore, the method was found to be suitable for simultaneous enantioseparations, for enantiomeric purity checks and to differentiate between positional isomers. Moreover, an intra- and an interday validation was performed successfully for each chiral selector to prove the robustness of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes S. Hägele
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryInstitute of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
| | - Eva‐Maria Hubner
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryInstitute of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
| | - Martin G. Schmid
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryInstitute of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GrazGrazAustria
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Silva B, Pereira JA, Cravo S, Araújo AM, Fernandes C, Pinto MMM, de Pinho PG, Remião F. Multi-milligram resolution and determination of absolute configuration of pentedrone and methylone enantiomers. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2018; 1100-1101:158-164. [PMID: 30336346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The enantioresolution of pentedrone and methylone was carried out at a multi-milligram scale by liquid chromatography on a Chiralpak AS® stationary phase. The excellent enantioresolution using this column allowed to collect highly pure enantiomeric fractions, achieving enantiomeric ratios higher than 98%. An overall recovery of 72% was achieved for pentedrone enantiomers and 80% for methylone. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of the enantiomers of both cathinones was determined for the first time by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy, with the aid of theoretical calculations, as (+)‑(S) and (-)‑(R)-pentedrone, and (-)‑(S) and (+)‑(R)‑methylone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Silva
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - José A Pereira
- ICBAS, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Sara Cravo
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Araújo
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Fernandes
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Madalena M M Pinto
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Paula Guedes de Pinho
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Remião
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Hägele JS, Schmid MG. Enantiomeric separation of Novel Psychoactive Substances by capillary electrophoresis using (+)-18-crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid as chiral selector. Chirality 2018; 30:1019-1026. [PMID: 29920777 DOI: 10.1002/chir.22981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In the recent years, hundreds of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have entered both the European and the global drug market. These drugs, which are mainly used for recreational matters, have caused serious social problems. Every year, the spectrum of these misused drugs is enlarged by new derivatives, which are produced by modifications of basic structures of already well-known substances. Additionally, a lot of them possess a stereogenic center which leads to 2 enantiomeric forms. The fact that the pharmacological effects and potencies of the enantiomers of these chiral NPS may differ can be assumed from a broad spectrum of active pharmaceutical ingredients. For this reason, analytical method development regarding enantiomeric separation for these classes of substances is of great pharmaceutical and medical interest. The aim of this work was to create an easy-to-prepare chiral capillary electrophoresis method for the enantioseparation of NPS which contains a primary amino group by means of (+)-18-crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid as chiral selector. Novel Psychoactive Substances were purchased at various Internet stores or represent samples seized by Austrian police. The effects of selector concentration, the electrolyte composition, and the addition of organic modifiers to the background electrolyte on enantioseparation were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the use of 20-mM (+)-18-crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid, 10-mM Tris, and 30-mM citric acid buffer at pH 2.10 turned out to be effective. Fifteen of 24 tested NPS were resolved in their enantiomers within 15 minutes. It was found that all NPS were traded as racemic mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes S Hägele
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin G Schmid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Kadkhodaei K, Forcher L, Schmid MG. Separation of enantiomers of new psychoactive substances by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Sep Sci 2018; 41:1274-1286. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201701239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kian Kadkhodaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Graz; Graz Austria
| | - Lisa Forcher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Graz; Graz Austria
| | - Martin G. Schmid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Graz; Graz Austria
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Couto RAS, Gonçalves LM, Carvalho F, Rodrigues JA, Rodrigues CMP, Quinaz MB. The Analytical Challenge in the Determination of Cathinones, Key-Players in the Worldwide Phenomenon of Novel Psychoactive Substances. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2018; 48:372-390. [DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2018.1439724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A. S. Couto
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Moreira Gonçalves
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José A. Rodrigues
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cecília M. P. Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M. Beatriz Quinaz
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Alremeithi R, Meetani MA, Alaidaros AA, Lanjawi A, Alsumaiti K. Simultaneous Quantitative Determination of Synthetic Cathinone Enantiomers in Urine and Plasma Using GC-NCI-MS. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL METHODS IN CHEMISTRY 2018; 2018:4396043. [PMID: 29805834 PMCID: PMC5902049 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4396043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Development and validation of sensitive and selective method for enantioseparation and quantitation of synthetic cathinones is reported using GC-MS triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. Indirect chiral separation of thirty-six synthetic cathinone compounds has been achieved by using an optically pure chiral derivatizing agent (CDA) called (S)-(-)-N-(trifluoroacetyl)pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl chloride (L-TPC), which converts cathinone enantiomers into diastereoisomers that can be separated on achiral columns. As a result of using Ultra Inert 60 m column and performing slow heating rate (2°C/min) on the GC oven, an observed enhancement in enantiomer peak resolution has been achieved. An internal standard, (+)-cathinone, was used for quantitation of synthetic cathinones. Method validation in terms of linearities and sensitivity in terms of limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantitation (LOQs), recoveries, and reproducibilities has been obtained for fourteen selected compounds that examined simultaneously as a mixture after being spiked in urine and plasma. It was found that the LOD of the fourteen synthetic cathinones in urine was in the range of 0.26-0.76 µg/L, and in plasma, it was in the range of 0.26-0.34 µg/L. While the LOQ of the mixture in urine was in the range of 0.86-2.34 µg/L, and in plasma, it was in the range of 0.89-1.12 µg/L. Unlike the electron impact (EI) ion source, NCI showed better sensitivity by two orders of magnitude by comparing the obtained results with the recently published reports for quantitative analysis and enantioseparation of synthetic cathinones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashed Alremeithi
- Chemistry Department, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, UAE
- General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, UAE
| | - Mohammed A. Meetani
- Chemistry Department, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Anas A. Alaidaros
- Chemistry Department, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Adnan Lanjawi
- General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, UAE
| | - Khalid Alsumaiti
- General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, UAE
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Yovanovich AC, Goodpaster JV, Minto RE. Identification of 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)pentan-1-one (bk-IVP) in a Seized Drug Exhibit. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:915-920. [PMID: 28886216 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To circumvent the law by evading regulation and obscuring their identities in routine analyses, numerous substituted cathinones have entered the illicit drug market. These compounds have been coined "bath salts" by users. In the described case, the laboratory received an unknown white powder for controlled substances identification. The sample could not be immediately identified using standard methods and procedures. Ultimately, the structure was elucidated using GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, GC-SPIR, UV, and color tests to be 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)pentan-1-one (bk-IVP), a cathinone analog with a rarely observed nonoxygenated bicyclic ring system. Features of spectra and chemical tests are reported that distinguish this class of cathinones from heterocyclic analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John V Goodpaster
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Forensic and Investigative Sciences (FIS) Program, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 402 North Blackford Street, LD 326, Indianapolis, IN, 46202
| | - Robert E Minto
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 402 North Blackford Street, LD 326, Indianapolis, IN, 46202
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Silva B, Fernandes C, Guedes de Pinho P, Remião F. Chiral Resolution and Enantioselectivity of Synthetic Cathinones: A Brief Review. J Anal Toxicol 2017; 42:17-24. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Silva
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Fernandes
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Paula Guedes de Pinho
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Remião
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Carnes S, O'Brien S, Szewczak A, Tremeau-Cayel L, Rowe WF, McCord B, Lurie IS. Comparison of ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography, ultra high performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography for the separation of synthetic cathinones. J Sep Sci 2017; 40:3545-3556. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201700349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Carnes
- Department of Forensic Sciences; The George Washington University; Washington DC USA
| | - Stacey O'Brien
- Department of Forensic Sciences; The George Washington University; Washington DC USA
| | - Angelica Szewczak
- Department of Forensic Sciences; The George Washington University; Washington DC USA
| | | | - Walter F. Rowe
- Department of Forensic Sciences; The George Washington University; Washington DC USA
| | - Bruce McCord
- Department of Chemistry; Florida International University; Miami FL USA
| | - Ira S. Lurie
- Department of Forensic Sciences; The George Washington University; Washington DC USA
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Development of an enantioseparation method for novel psychoactive drugs by HPLC using a Lux ® Cellulose-2 column in polar organic phase mode. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 270:232-240. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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18
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Qian Z, Jia W, Li T, Liu C, Hua Z. Identification and analytical characterization of four synthetic cathinone derivatives iso-4-BMC, β-TH-naphyrone, mexedrone, and 4-MDMC. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:274-281. [PMID: 27352812 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have gained much popularity on the global market over the last number of years. The synthetic cathinone family is one of the most prominent groups and this paper reports on the analytical properties of four synthetic cathinone derivatives: (1) 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(methylamino)propan-2-one (iso-4-BMC or iso-brephedrone), (2) 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)pentan-1-one (β-TH-naphyrone), (3) 3-methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mexedrone), and (4) 2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (4-MDMC). 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 (NMR) spectroscopy. To our knowledge, no chemical or pharmacological data about compounds 1-3 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The Raman and GC-MS data of 4 have been reported, but this study added the LC-MS and NMR data for additional characterization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Qian
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jia
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Li
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Cuimei Liu
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
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19
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Chiral enantioresolution of cathinone derivatives present in "legal highs", and enantioselectivity evaluation on cytotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Forensic Toxicol 2016; 34:372-385. [PMID: 27594923 PMCID: PMC4988346 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-016-0324-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recently, great interest has been focused on synthetic cathinones since their consumption has increased exponentially. All synthetic cathinones exist as chiral molecules; the biological and/or toxicological properties of cathinones generally differ according to the enantiomers in human body. In this study, a chiral liquid chromatography method was developed to separate and determine the enantiomeric ratio of synthetic cathinones present in "legal highs" acquired in old smart shops or over the Internet. All the synthetic cathinones were efficiently enantio-separated with α and Rs ranging from 1.24 to 3.62 and from 1.24 to 10.52, respectively, using polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases. All synthetic cathinones, with the exception of 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC), were present in the commercialized "legal highs" in an enantiomeric proportion of 50:50. One of the studied chiral compounds was 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), one of the most consumed cathinone derivative worldwide. Our research group has recently reported its hepatotoxicity in the racemic form. Thus, the analytical enantioresolution of the MDPV was scaled up to multi-milligram using a semi-preparative amylose tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate column (20 cm × 7.0 mm ID, 7 µm particle size). Both enantiomers were isolated with high enantiomeric purity (enantiomeric excess > 99 %). The toxicity of S-(-)-MDPV and R-(+)-MDPV was evaluated, for the first time, using primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. It was also possible to verify that MDPV enantiomers showed hepatotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner, but displayed no enantioselective toxicity in this cell culture model.
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Zhao J, Jin Y, Shin Y, Jeong KM, Lee J. Indirect enantioseparation of fluoxetine in mouse serum by derivatization with 1R
-(-)-menthyl chloroformate followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Sep Sci 2016; 39:1041-9. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201501163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- School of Pharmacy; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Jin
- School of Pharmacy; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Shin
- School of Pharmacy; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Min Jeong
- School of Pharmacy; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongmi Lee
- School of Pharmacy; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon Republic of Korea
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