Three psychoactive arylcyclohexylamines sold online as research chemicals were chemically identified: methoxetamine, N-ethyl-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanamine, and 1-[1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine. A validated liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection reliably measured these compounds in blood, urine, and vitreous humor at concentrations from 0.16 to 5.0 mg/L, while mass spectrometry served as a confirmatory technique.
Six new psychoactive substances related to PCP and ketamine were synthesized and analyzed: three substituted 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidines (3-MeO-, 4-MeO-, and 3-Me-PCP) and three substituted 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)pyrrolidine analogues (3-MeO-, 4-MeO-, and 3-Me-PCPy). Mass spectrometry, chromatography, infrared, and NMR spectroscopy characterized all six compounds and their intermediates. Solvent and protonation effects on NMR spectra were examined. Isomeric 3-MeO- and 4-MeO-PCP and PCPy analogues could be distinguished by mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography caused notable degradation of 4-MeO-substituted analytes, especially hydrochloride salts, producing a 1-phenylcyclohex-1-ene nucleus; this degradation was less pronounced with 3-MeO isomers, likely due to para-methoxy group resonance facilitating amine elimination.