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.