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.