Using isotopic fractionation to link precursor to product in the synthesis of (±)-mephedrone: A new tool for combating "legal high" drugs

Niamh NicDaéid; Wolfram Meier-Augenstein; Helen F. Kemp; Oliver B. Sutcliffe

doi:10.1021/ac3019069

Using isotopic fractionation to link precursor to product in the synthesis of (±)-mephedrone: A new tool for combating "legal high" drugs

Niamh NicDaéid (Lead / Corresponding author)
, Wolfram Meier-Augenstein
, Helen F. Kemp
, Oliver B. Sutcliffe

Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Several recent deaths in the U.K. have been attributed to "legal high" drugs and in particular to (±)-4-methylmethcathinone ((±)-mephedrone). Recent literature has begun to focus on the chemical analysis of mephedrone and related substituted cathinones and methcathinones; however, no studies involving the application of stable isotope analysis to these compounds has yet emerged. Such studies have, for example, the potential to provide information linking the final products to a particular precursor by the manufacturer. In this study, the use of stable isotope profiling was explored to provide a possible connection between product and precursor chemicals. Six samples each of mephedrone were prepared using precursor chemicals from two different manufacturers, providing 12 samples in total. Synthesis was via a stable intermediate

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	8691-8696
Number of pages	6
Journal	Analytical Chemistry
Volume	84
Issue number	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/ac3019069
Publication status	Published - 16 Oct 2012

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10.1021/ac3019069

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Using isotopic fractionation to link precursor to product in the synthesis of (±)-mephedrone: A new tool for combating "legal high" drugs. / NicDaéid , Niamh (Lead / Corresponding author); Meier-Augenstein, Wolfram; Kemp, Helen F. et al.
In: Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 84, No. 20, 16.10.2012, p. 8691-8696.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Using isotopic fractionation to link precursor to product in the synthesis of (±)-mephedrone: A new tool for combating "legal high" drugs

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