Detection of the synthetic cathinone N,N-dimethylpentylone in seized samples from prisons

Caitlyn Norman (Lead / Corresponding author), Hannes Max Schwelm, Olga Semenova, Robert Reid, Victoria Marland, Niamh Nic Daeid

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
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Abstract

Drug use is prevalent in prisons with drugs associated with depressant effects found to be moreprevalent than stimulants. Synthetic cathinones (SCats; often sold as “bath salts”, “ecstasy”, “molly”,and “monkey dust”) are the second largest category of new psychoactive substances (NPS) currentlymonitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and arecommonly used as substitutes for regulated stimulants, such as amphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA.N,N-dimethylpentylone (also known as dimethylpentylone, dipentylone, and bk-DMBDP) was detectedfor the first time in the Scottish prisons in seven powder samples seized between January and July 2023.Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS),and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Dimethylpentylone was detected alongside otherdrugs in four samples, including the novel benzodiazepine desalkylgidazepam (bromonordiazepam) andthe synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) MDMB-INACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA.
Original languageEnglish
Article number112145
Number of pages5
JournalForensic Science International
Volume361
Early online date9 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • N,N-dimethylpentylone
  • prisons
  • synthetic cathinones
  • new psychoactive substances
  • Prisons
  • Synthetic cathinones
  • New psychoactive substances

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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