Identification and characterization of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitro-β-phenethylamine (2C-N)--a new member of 2C-series of designer drug.
Forensic science international – October 10, 2012
Source: PubMed
Summary
Accurately identifying novel synthetic drugs is paramount. Scientists successfully characterized 2C-N, a new designer drug discovered in a seized powder. Employing advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, infrared, and NMR spectroscopy, they precisely determined its molecular structure and mass. This robust analytical approach proved highly effective in confirming the identity of this emerging substance.
Abstract
The online sale of psychoactive substances, including hallucinogens, is becoming a serious problem in many countries. This paper presents and discusses the mass spectrometric, infrared spectroscopic and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitro-β-phenethylamine (2C-N), which was identified in a powder sample seized by the authorities in 2011 in Poland. The molecular mass of 2C-N (226.0954 amu) was confirmed in the LC/ESI-QTOFMS experiment. The molecular ion was also observed in the GC-EI/MS spectrum. A characteristic set of ions for the parent substance was found using both chromatographic methods, and when derivatization with trifuluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) was applied. Two broad dominant bands at 1520 cm(-1) and 1342/1322 cm(-1), observed in the FTIR spectrum of 2C-N, originated from the nitro group. NMR spectroscopy helped unequivocal elucidation of the structure. The applied identification procedure proved to be a powerful tool to determine the structure of a new designer drug.