posted on 2016-02-20, 08:50authored byNiamh NicDaéid, Wolfram Meier-Augenstein, Helen F. Kemp, Oliver B. Sutcliffe
Several recent deaths in the U.K. have been attributed
to “legal high” drugs and in particular to (±)-4-methylmethcathinone
((±)-mephedrone). Recent literature has begun to focus on the
chemical analysis of mephedrone and related substituted cathinones
and methcathinones; however, no studies involving the application
of stable isotope analysis to these compounds has yet emerged. Such
studies have, for example, the potential to provide information linking
the final products to a particular precursor by the manufacturer.
In this study, the use of stable isotope profiling was explored to
provide a possible connection between product and precursor chemicals.
Six samples each of mephedrone were prepared using precursor chemicals
from two different manufacturers, providing 12 samples in total. Synthesis
was via a stable intermediate