A new hallucinogenic substance, 25C-NBOMe, was identified in blotter papers seized from the drug market using multiple analytical methods. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed a spectrum similar to other 25-NBOMe compounds, with dominant ions at m/z=150, 121, and 91. Derivatization helped determine the molecular mass, and liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) confirmed the exact molecular mass and chemical formula. MS/MS experiments showed the substance is an N-(2-methoxy)benzyl derivative of 2C-C. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) corroborated the identity, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provided final structural elucidation.
A powder sample seized by Polish authorities in 2011 was identified as the hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitro-β-phenethylamine (2C-N). Mass spectrometry confirmed its molecular mass, and gas chromatography and liquid chromatography produced characteristic ion patterns. Infrared spectroscopy showed two broad bands from the nitro group, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy unequivocally determined the molecular structure. The analytical approach proved effective for characterizing new designer drugs.