'Smoking' mephedrone: the identification of the pyrolysis products of 4-methylmethcathinone hydrochloride.
The ring-substituted cathinone - mephedrone - has gained popularity among recreational drug users over the past several years. It is generally consumed orally or by snorting but reports indicate that it is also ingested by vaporization/inhalation. This study examines the pyrolysis products produced by heating mephedrone under using simulated 'meth pipe' conditions. Thirteen pyrolysis products were identified, the major ones being iso-mephedrone, 4-methylpropiophenone, 4-methylphenylacetone, two pyrazine derivatives formed by dimerization of mephedrone, N-methylated mephedrone (N,N,4-trimethylcatinone), two hydroxylated oxidation products and a diketone. Other minor products formed were identified as 4-methylacetophenone, two α-chloro ketones and N-methylated iso-mephedrone.
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. pierce.kavanagh@tcd.ie
Pierce
P
Kavanagh
John
J
O'Brien
John D
JD
Power
Brian
B
Talbot
Seán D
SD
McDermott
D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D012906:Smoke / Q000032:analysis*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D012906:Smoke; D008694:Methamphetamine; C548233:mephedrone