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Júlio S, Ferro RA, Santos S, Alexandre A, Caldeira MJ, Franco J, Barroso M, Gaspar H. Synthesis of emerging cathinones and validation of a SPE GC-MS method for their simultaneous quantification in blood. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:571-589. [PMID: 36494605 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04440-6] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, synthetic cathinones have emerged as an important class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide. The proliferation of these psychostimulants and their sought-after effects among recreational drug users pose a serious threat to public health and enormous challenges to forensic laboratories. For forensic institutions, it is essential to be one step ahead of covert laboratories, foreseeing the structural changes possible to introduce in the core skeleton of cathinones while maintaining their stimulating activity. In this manner, it is feasible to equip themselves with standards of possible new cathinones and validated analytical methods for their qualitative and quantitative detection. Therefore, the aim of the work herein described was to synthesize emerging cathinones based on the evolving patterns in the illicit drug market, and to develop an analytical method for their accurate determination in forensic situations. Five so far unreported cathinones [4'-methyl-N-dimethylbuphedrone (4-MDMB), 4'-methyl-N-ethylbuphedrone (4-MNEB), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylpentedrone (4-MDMP), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylhexedrone (4-MDMH), and 4'-methyl-N-diethylbuphedrone (4-MDEB)] and a sixth one, 4'-methyl-N-ethylpentedrone, already reported to EMCDDA and also known as 4-MEAP, were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). An analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of these cathinones in blood, using solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated. The results prove that this methodology is selective, linear, precise, and accurate. For all target cathinones, the extraction efficiency was higher than 73%, linearity was observed in the range of 10 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 5 ng/mL for all target cathinones. The stability of these cathinones in blood matrices is dependent on the storage conditions; 4-MNEB is the most stable compound and 4-MDMH is the least stable compound. The low limits obtained allow the detection of the compounds in situations where they are involved, even if present at low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Júlio
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel A Ferro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrea Alexandre
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Helena Gaspar
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-630, Peniche, Portugal.
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Porcu S, Tuveri E, Palanca M, Melis C, La Franca IM, Satta J, Chiriu D, Carbonaro CM, Cortis P, De Agostini A, Ricci PC. Rapid In Situ Detection of THC and CBD in Cannabis sativa L. by 1064 nm Raman Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:10435-10442. [PMID: 35848818 PMCID: PMC9330313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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The need to find a rapid and worthwhile technique for
the in situ
detection of the content of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and
cannabidiol (CBD) in Cannabis sativa L. is an ever-increasing problem in the forensic field. Among all
the techniques for the detection of cannabinoids, Raman spectroscopy
can be identified as the most cost-effective, fast, noninvasive, and
nondestructive. In this study, 42 different samples were analyzed
using Raman spectroscopy with 1064 nm excitation wavelength. The use
of an IR wavelength laser showed the possibility to clearly identify
THC and CBD in fresh samples, without any further processing, knocking
out the contribution of the fluorescence generated by visible and
near-IR sources. The results allow assigning all the Raman features
in THC- and CBD-rich natural samples. The multivariate analysis underlines
the high reproducibility of the spectra and the possibility to distinguish
immediately the Raman spectra of the two cannabinoid species. Furthermore,
the ratio between the Raman bands at 1295/1440 and 1623/1663 cm–1 is identified as an immediate test parameter to evaluate
the THC content in the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Porcu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Enrica Tuveri
- Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Cagliari, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 24, 09129 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Marco Palanca
- Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Cagliari, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 24, 09129 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Claudia Melis
- Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Cagliari, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 24, 09129 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | | | - Jessica Satta
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Daniele Chiriu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Carbonaro
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Cortis
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Sant'Ignazio 13, 09123 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Antonio De Agostini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Sant'Ignazio 13, 09123 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | - Pier Carlo Ricci
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, S.p. no. 8 Km 0700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
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Spálovská D, Paškan M, Jurásek B, Kuchař M, Kohout M, Setnička V. Structural spectroscopic study of enantiomerically pure synthetic cathinones and their major metabolites. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj05065b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We present a chiral semipreparative methodology and a comprehensive spectroscopic structural study of three synthetic cathinones and their expected desmethyl metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dita Spálovská
- Department of Analytical Chemistry
- University of Chemistry and Technology
- Prague 6
- Czech Republic
| | - Martin Paškan
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- University of Chemistry and Technology
- Prague 6
- Czech Republic
| | - Bronislav Jurásek
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds
- University of Chemistry and Technology
- Prague 6
- Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds
- University of Chemistry and Technology
- Prague 6
- Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kohout
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- University of Chemistry and Technology
- Prague 6
- Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Setnička
- Department of Analytical Chemistry
- University of Chemistry and Technology
- Prague 6
- Czech Republic
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Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
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Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of a new cathinone derivative: 1-phenyl-2-(butylamino)hexan-1-one hydrochloride (N-butylhexedrone). Forensic Toxicol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-020-00525-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, a new cathinone derivative, N-butylhexedrone, emerged on new psychoactive substances (NPS) market in Poland was described and characterized.
Methods
The compound was analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography and infrared, Raman, ultraviolet-visible and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic approaches.
Results
We confirmed the presence of the compound in the seized material and obtained detailed and comprehensive physicochemical characterization of N-butylhexedrone—new cathinone derivative available on the NPS market.
Conclusions
In this study, we presented chromatographic, spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of a new cathinone derivative that emerged on the NPS market in 2019. The obtained analytical data should be useful for forensic and toxicological purposes in quick and reliable compound identification.
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Quinn M, Brettell T, Joshi M, Bonetti J, Quarino L. Identifying PCP and four PCP analogs using the gold chloride microcrystalline test followed by raman microspectroscopy and chemometrics. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 307:110135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Shevyrin V, Eltsov O, Shafran Y. Identification and analytical characterization of the synthetic cathinone N-butylhexedrone. Drug Test Anal 2019; 12:159-163. [PMID: 31667946 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Shevyrin
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Institute of Chemical Engineering, 19 Mira Str, 620002, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Oleg Eltsov
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Institute of Chemical Engineering, 19 Mira Str, 620002, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri Shafran
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Institute of Chemical Engineering, 19 Mira Str, 620002, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
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Case report on two-cathinones abuse: MPHP and N-ethyl-4′methylnorpentedrone, with a fatal outcome. Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Identification and structural characterization of synthetic cathinones: N-propylcathinone, 2,4-dimethylmethcathinone, 2,4-dimethylethcathinone, 2,4-dimethyl-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone, 4-bromo-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone, 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one and 2,4-dimethylisocathinone. Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-018-00463-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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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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