Deanna Langone, Ben Painter, Clark Nash, Janneke W Hulshof, Sander Oldenhof, Martin R Johnston, K Paul Kirkbride
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Designer precursors for the synthesis of amphetamine-type stimulants pose a significant challenge to law enforcement. The precursors APAAN (α-phenylacetoacetonitrile) and MAPA (methyl α-acetylphenylacetate) became popular in the previous decade and have since been restricted. Recently, a ring-substituted analog of MAPA used for the synthesis of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) was detected, highlighting the potential for criminal misuse of substituted analogs of these designer precursors. Previous research has characterized the impurity profiles of methamphetamine synthesized from APAAN and MAPA. In this study, the impurity profiles of MDMA and PMMA (p-methoxymethamphetamine) synthesized from ring-substituted analogs of APAAN and MAPA were characterized. In addition, byproducts forming from the conversion of p-methyl and p-fluoro analogs of APAAN and MAPA into analogs of P2P were investigated. MDMA was synthesized from 3,4-methylenedioxy-substituted MAPA (methyl α-acetyl-[3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl]acetate, MAMDPA) via sodium cyanoborohydride reductive amination and hydrogenation with platinum oxide and methylamine. Four impurities originating from MAMDPA were detected in MDMA synthesized via reductive amination, all of which are 3,4-methylenedioxy analogs of the impurities detected in methamphetamine synthesized from MAPA. Synthesis of MDMA via the hydrogenation route only produced one characteristic impurity, which, due to its instability under acidic conditions, is not likely to be present in clandestine MDMA hydrochloride samples. PMMA was synthesized via sodium cyanoborohydride reductive amination of MeO-P2P produced from methoxyl-substituted APAAN (α-p-methoxyphenylacetoacetonitrile, APMPAAN). Five impurities were identified as originating from APMPAAN, two of which are proposed to be the most reliable markers for the use of APMPAAN in the synthesis of PMMA.
期刊介绍:
As the incidence of drugs escalates in 21st century living, their detection and analysis have become increasingly important. Sport, the workplace, crime investigation, homeland security, the pharmaceutical industry and the environment are just some of the high profile arenas in which analytical testing has provided an important investigative tool for uncovering the presence of extraneous substances.
In addition to the usual publishing fare of primary research articles, case reports and letters, Drug Testing and Analysis offers a unique combination of; ‘How to’ material such as ‘Tutorials’ and ‘Reviews’, Speculative pieces (‘Commentaries’ and ‘Perspectives'', providing a broader scientific and social context to the aspects of analytical testing), ‘Annual banned substance reviews’ (delivering a critical evaluation of the methods used in the characterization of established and newly outlawed compounds).
Rather than focus on the application of a single technique, Drug Testing and Analysis employs a unique multidisciplinary approach to the field of controversial compound determination. Papers discussing chromatography, mass spectrometry, immunological approaches, 1D/2D gel electrophoresis, to name just a few select methods, are welcomed where their application is related to any of the six key topics listed below.