N,N‐Diformylmescaline: A novel analogue of mescaline detected in Queensland
Drug Testing and Analysis – October 17, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
N,N-Diformylmescaline, a new mescaline analogue, was identified in two seizures in Australia. A three-step synthesis from 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetic acid revealed challenges in purifying the compound due to its instability. Analysis showed that under acidic and basic conditions, it degraded to N-formylmescaline, ultimately breaking down to mescaline when exposed to hydrochloric acid over time. This suggests that N,N-diformylmescaline may act as a prodrug for mescaline. The study included detailed data on purification techniques and stability assessments using chromatography and molecular sensors.
Abstract
Abstract N,N ‐Diformylmescaline, a novel analogue of mescaline, has recently been detected in Australia in two unrelated seizures. To confirm the identification, a three‐step synthesis from 3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenylacetic acid was devised. However, purification of the final product proved problematic with the compound prone to degradation in solution. Analysis of the compound by LC–MS indicated that the compound was unstable under acidic and basic conditions, breaking down to N ‐formylmescaline. Further degradation to mescaline was observed when the compound was dissolved in hydrochloric acid for an extended period of time suggesting that N , N ‐diformylmescaline may be a prodrug for mescaline. The GC–MS, NMR and FTIR data for the seized compound are presented along with details of the synthesis and studies of the compound's stability in solution.