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Identification of 2‐(ethylamino)‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1‐pentanone (4‐ MEAP ), a New “Legal High” Sold by an Internet Vendor as 4‐Methyl Pentedrone
Author(s) -
Hamby Danielle,
Burnett Annessa,
Jablonsky Michael,
Twamley Brendan,
Kavanagh Pierce V.,
Gardner Elizabeth A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12712
Subject(s) - fragmentation (computing) , ketone , vendor , chemistry , propylamine , medicinal chemistry , organic chemistry , operating system , computer science , political science , law , amine gas treating
Online vendors are offering a new legal high, 4‐methylpentedrone (4‐ MPD ). Information for potential users provided by internet vendors of 4‐ MPD includes incorrect structures and nonexistent CAS numbers. A sample of 4‐ MPD was obtained and analyzed using GC ‐ MS , NMR , and LC ‐ EIS . The fragmentation data from the GC ‐ MS and LC ‐ EIS produced an M‐1 ion that suggested the molecular mass was 219 amu, rather than 205 amu as calculated for 4‐methylpentedrone. The difference in molecular mass corresponded to the addition of a methyl group. Based on the mass and fragmentation pattern, two standards were synthesized, 2‐(ethylamino)‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1‐pentanone and 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐2‐(propylamino)‐1‐butanone. The synthesis involved bromination of the appropriate ketone followed by the reaction with ethylamine or propylamine. Based on the NMR data and unique fragmentation patterns produced by these molecules, the sample was identified as 2‐(ethylamino)‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1‐pentanone, not 4‐methylpentedrone.