New designer drug, 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐propylthio‐β‐phenethylamine (2C‐T‐7): studies on its metabolism and toxicological detection in rat urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Studies are described on the metabolism and toxicological analysis of the phenethylamine‐derived designer drug 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐propylthio‐β‐phenethylamine (2C‐T‐7) in rat urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The identified metabolites indicated that 2C‐T‐7 was metabolized by hydroxylation of the propyl side chain followed by N ‐acetylation and sulfoxidation and also by deamination followed by oxidation to the corresponding acid or by reduction to the corresponding alcohol. To a minor extent, 2C‐T‐7 was also metabolized by S ‐dealkylation followed by N ‐acetylation, S ‐methylation and sulfoxidation. The authors' systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure using full‐scan GC/MS after acid hydrolysis, liquid–liquid extraction microwave‐assisted acetylation allowed the detection of an intake of a dose of 2C‐T‐7 in rat urine that corresponds to a common drug users' dose. Assuming similar metabolism, the described STA procedure should be suitable for proof of an intake of 2C‐T‐7 in human urine. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.