Using Isotopic Fractionation to Link Precursor to Product in the Synthesis of (+/-)-Mephedrone: A New Tool for Combating %26quot;Legal High%26quot; Drugs

作者：NicDaeid Niamh^*; Meier Augenstein Wolfram; Kemp Helen F; Sutcliffe Oliver B

来源：Analytical Chemistry, 2012, 84(20): 8691-8696.

DOI：10.1021/ac3019069

Several recent deaths in the U.K. have been attributed to %26apos;legal high%26quot; drugs and in particular to (+/-)-4-methylmethcathinone ((+/-)-mephedrone). Recent literature has begun to focus on the chemical analysis of mephedrone and related substituted cathinones and methcathinones; however, no studies involving the application of stable isotope analysis to these compounds has yet emerged. Such studies have, for example, the potential to provide information linking the final products to a particular precursor by the manufacturer. In this study, the use of stable isotope profiling was explored to provide a possible connection between product and precursor chemicals. Six samples each of mephedrone were prepared using precursor chemicals from two different manufacturers, providing 12 samples in total. Synthesis was via a stable intermediate

• 出版日期2012-10-16