Spectroscopic characterization and crystal structures of four hydrochloride cathinones : N-ethyl-2-amino-1-phenylhexan-1-one (hexen, NEH), N-methyl-2-amino-1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-methoxypropan-1-one (mexedrone), N-ethyl-2-amino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)pentan-1-one (ephylone) and N-butyl-2-amino-1-(4-chlorophenyl) propan-1-one (4-chlorobutylcathinone)

Abstract

Purpose Four compounds found during seizure by drug enforcement agencies were identified and characterized by various instrumental analytical methods. Methods The samples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared and Raman spectroscopies and X-ray crystallography. Results The four compounds were confirmed as: N-ethyl-2-amino-1-phenylhexan-1-one hydrochloride, N-methyl-2-amino-1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-methoxypropan-1-one hydrochloride, N-ethyl-2-amino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)pentan-1-one hydrochloride and N-butyl-2-amino-1-(4-chlorophenyl)propan-1-one hydrochloride; all four were cathinone derivatives available on the designer drug market. Conclusions X-ray crystallography is especially useful for identifying the new and unknown designer drugs and their enantiomeric forms.