Analytical profiles of Methcathinone Related Compounds

Transcription

1 Analytical profiles of Methcathin Related Compounds The compounds A Cathin 2-amino-1-phenylpropan-1- Molecular Formula = C 9 H 11 N Formula Weight = NH 2 B Methcathin 2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1- Molecular Formula = C 10 H 13 N Formula Weight = C Dimethylcathin 2-(dimethylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1- Molecular Formula = C 11 H 15 N Formula Weight = C H 3 N D Ethcathin* 2-(ethylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1- Molecular Formula = C 11 H 15 N Formula Weight = E 4-Methylmethcathin* (Mephedr) 2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1- Molecular Formula = C 11 H 15 N Formula Weight = H3 C F 2- Fluoromethcathin 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1- Molecular Formula = C 10 H 12 FN Formula Weight = F Page 1 of 11

2 G 3- Fluoromethcathin* 1-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1- Molecular Formula = C 10 H 12 FN Formula Weight = F H 3- Fluoro-isomethcathin* (by-product of synthesis of 3- fluoromethcathin) 1-(3-fluorophenyl)-1-(methylamino)propan-2- Molecular Formula = C 10 H 12 FN Formula Weight = F I 4- Fluoromethcathin 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1- Molecular Formula = C 10 H 12 FN Formula Weight = F J 4-methoxymethylaminobutyr 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylamino)butan-1- Molecular Formula = C 12 H 17 N 2 Formula Weight = H 3 C K 4-Methoxymethcathin (Methedr, bk- PMMA) 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan- 1- Molecular Formula = C 11 H 15 N 2 Formula Weight = H 3 C Background and products * Compounds seen in UK products Cathin is a pharmacologically active (stimulant) alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the Khat plant (Catha edulis). Khat leaves are chewed recreationally in parts of East Africa to produce a mild high much like caffeine from tea and coffee. Human metabolism of cathin produces cathine and norpseudoephedrine, that are structurally similar to amfetamine and adrenaline. Cathine is of the optical isomers of phenylpropanolamine, an appetite suppressant and nasal decongestant. Cathin and methcathin are controlled under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; cathin is Class C listed in Part III of schedule 2; methcathin is Class B listed in Part II of Schedule 2. Page 2 of 11

3 Derivatives such as ethcathin, 4-methylmethcathin and the fluoromethcathins, which are not controlled under current law, have been produced and marketed to satisfy the growing dance-scene drug culture. They are promoted as safe alternatives to ecstasy presumably to individuals who want to stay within the law. However, the safety of these compounds has not been evaluated and they are often sold in products where the contents are not accurately declared. Seven products were originally purchased from the BioRepublik website, sold as legal alternatives to ecstasy. They were described as Neorganics and described two generations of products. The first being Neo-Dove 1 a well known, best seller, unique supplement designed especially to be the ultimate influence. Neo-Dove 2 is the next generation a superior supplement that will make you feel vital and happy. The other products purchased are listed below. The price of all Neorganics on the BioRepublik site was 28 for pack of four capsules or a multiple pack of up to 36 capsules could be purchased for 183. We took advantage of a special offer and purchased two capsules of each for capsules were received; Ten (two of each colour) in a large pot labelled Multi Vitamin and four white capsules in a smaller pot, with same outer label. It is unknown which capsule is which. Sub Coca Further products obtained from the Future Legals website; High Spirit, S.C.D and Lift Neorganics were also analysed. A product called Charge was purchased from the popular legal high website Everydoesit.com. It was a powder and was described as novelty bath salts Page 3 of 11

4 Product Contents Product TICTAC No. Source Contents (Large pot) (Large pot) (Large pot) (Large pot) (Small pot) (Large pot) (Small pot) (Small pot) (Small pot) Everydoesit.com 4-Methylmethcathin 4-Methylmethcathin 3-Fluoromethcathin 3-Fluoromethcathin 4-Methylmethcathin 3-Fluoromethcathin 4-Methylmethcathin 4-Methylmethcathin 4-Methylmethcathin 3-Fluoromethcathin Future Legals 3-Fluoromethcathin Future Legals 3-Fluoromethcathin Future Legals 3-Fluoromethcathin Page 4 of 11

5 GC/MS Samples were analysed on a Shimadzu QP2010 gas chromatograph mass spectrometer with an HP5MS column (30m x 0.25mm, 0.50µm). Injection temperature 225 C Injection mode Splitless Carrier gas Helium Flow rate 1.0 ml/min Pressure 9.5 psi Ion source temperature 200 C Interface temperature 250 C Column oven temperature programme: Rate Final temperature Time C Hold 6.1 minutes 20 C/min 200 C Until 9.1 minutes 40 C/min 280 C Until 12.2 minutes Page 5 of 11

6 Chromatogram:- (x1,000,000) 1.0 Scan:TIC (1.00) IS H I G B C D E K J IS ID Compound Name Abbreviations Retention time (mins.) IS-1 Quinoline IS B Methcathin (Ephedr) MC C Dimethyl-methcathin DMMC D E Ethcathin (Ethylpropion) 4-MethylMethcathin (Mephedr) F 2-Fluoromethcathin 2-FMC EC MMC Separate chromatogram (see below) G 3-Fluoromethcathin 3-FMC H 3-Fluoroisomethcathin 3-FisoMC I 4-Fluoromethcathin 4-FMC J 4-methoxy-methylaminobutyr 4-MAB K 4-methoxy-methcathin BK-PMMA (Methedr) IS-2 Pyribenzamine IS Page 6 of 11

7 (B) METHCATHINNE (C) DIMETHYLCATHINNE (D) ETHCATHINNE Page 7 of 11

8 (E) 4-METHYLMETHCATHINNE (F) 2-FLURMETHCATHINNE (Chromatogram and Mass Spectra) (x1,000,000) Scan:TIC 1.25 SIM:TIC (1.00) SIM:58.00 (1.00) SIM:72.00 (18.69) Separate chromatogram to show breakdown in GC: IS FMC peak FMC peak IS FMC peak 1: FMC peak 2: Page 8 of 11

9 (G) 3-FLURMETHCATHINNE (H) 3-FLURISMETHCATHINNE BY-PRDUCT F SYNTHESIS F 3-FMC Page 9 of 11

10 (I) 4-FLURMETHCATHINNE (J) 4-METHXY-METHYLAMINBUTYRNE (K) 4-METHXY-METHCATHINNE (METHEDRNE) Page 10 of 11

11 Susannah Davies John Ramsey Roland Archer Nov 2009 Page 11 of 11