Bonding to Psychedelics: Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Targeting 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B)
Daniel Martins, Carlos Fernandes, Ricardo F. Mendes, Fernando Cagide, António Fernando Silva, Fernanda Borges, Jorge Garrido
Applied Sciences Switzerland February 1, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/app14041377 via Elsevier
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was developed to selectively recognize the psychedelic compound 2C-B. Using 2C-B as a template and methacrylic acid as the functional monomer in a 1:4 ratio, microwave-assisted polymerization produced a material with a maximum absorption capacity of 115.6 μmol·mg−1 and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 26.7 μM. The imprint factor was 4.2 compared to a non-imprinted polymer, and the material showed good selectivity against 14 other new psychoactive substances. This MIP may aid in monitoring non-medical use of 2C-B and in therapeutic models involving psychedelics.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | A molecularly imprinted polymer with a 1:4 template-to-monomer ratio, produced via microwave-assisted polymerization, selectively recognizes 2C-B with a maximum absorption capacity of 115.6 μmol·mg−1 and an imprint factor of 4.2. |
Abstract
The increasing interest in utilizing psychedelics for therapeutic purposes demands the development of tools capable of efficiently monitoring and accurately identifying these substances, thereby supporting medical interventions. 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) has gained significant popularity as one of the most widely used psychedelic compounds in non-medical settings. In this study, we aimed to create a material with selective recognition of 2C-B by synthesizing a series of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) using 2C-B as the template and varying ratios of methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer (1:2, 1:3, and 1:4). Both thermal and microwave-assisted polymerization processes were employed. The molar ratio between the template molecule (2C-B) and functional monomer (MAA) was 1:4, utilizing a microwave-assisted polymerization process. Isotherm studies revealed a Langmuir’s maximum absorption capacity (Bmax) value of 115.6 μmol·mg−1 and Kd values of 26.7 μM for this material. An imprint factor of 4.2 was determined for this material, against the corresponding non-imprinted polymer. The good selectivity against 14 other new psychoactive substances highlighted the material’s potential for applications requiring selective recognition. These findings can contribute to the development of tailored materials for the detection and analysis of 2C-B, supporting advancements in non-medical use monitoring and potential therapeutic models involving psychedelics.