Journal of Forensic Medicine ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (4): 505-510.DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.300501

Special Issue: 新精神活性物质

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Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoid New Psychoactive Substances 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA

WANG Kua-dou1, YUAN Xiao-liang2, ZHANG Yu-rong1, HU Jun-jian2, CAO Fang-qi2, CHEN Yong-sheng1   

  1. 1. Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai 200083, China; 2. Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200083, China
  • Online:2021-08-25 Published:2021-08-28

Abstract: Objective To establish a method that combines a series of techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) for identification of unknown substances. Methods The unknown samples (off-white powder and yellow crystal) seized in the actual cases were detected by FTIR, GC-MS (methanol as solvent), high resolution mass spectrometry (methanol as solvent) and NMR (deuterated methanol as solvent). Results The mass spectrum characteristic ions m/z of the main components in the samples measured by GC-MS were 219 (base peak), 363, 307, 304, 275, 145, 131 and 213 (base peak), 357, 301, 298, 269, 185, 171, 145 and 131, respectively. The accurate mass numbers [M+H]+ measured by high resolution mass spectrometry were 364.203 61 and 358.212 34, respectively. The unknown samples were identified as synthetic cannabinoid new psychoactive substances 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA after data consultation and database retrieval and comparison, combined with infrared analysis and mass spectrometry data analysis, and their structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR. Conclusion The established multi-technology joint identification method can be used to identify 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA in unknown samples. This method is fast, convenient, accurate, reliable and practical, and can provide reference for the identification of cases involving such substances in the future.

Key words: forensic medicine, toxicological analysis, new psychoactive substance, Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), synthetic cannabinoid

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