Crystal structures and other properties of ephedrone (methcathinone) hydrochloride, N‑acetylephedrine and N‑acetylephedrone

Abstract

Purpose Three compounds obtained from ephedrine were identified and characterized by various instrumental analytical methods. Ephedrone (methcathinone) hydrochloride and its fundamental derivatives N-acetylephedrine and N-acetylephedrone were analyzed as precursors of a cathinone derivative. Methods The obtained samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Results The three compounds were confirmed as: N-methyl-2-amino-1-phenylpropan-1-one (methcathinone) hydrochloride, N-acetyl-N-methyl-2-amino-1-phenylpropan-1-one (cathinone derivative), and N-acetyl-N-methyl-2-amino-1-phenylpropan- 1-ol (acetyl derivative of ephedrine). Conclusions X-ray crystallography is especially useful for identifying the new designer drugs and their different precursor forms.