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Brephedrone: A new psychoactive substance seized in Brazil
Yuri Machado1, José Coelho Neto2, Paulo Eduardo Nunes Barbosa3
1Divisão de Laboratório, Instituto de Criminalística da Polícia Civil de Minas Gerais, Rua Juiz de Fora, 400, CEP 30180-060 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, CEP 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Forensic Science International
|April 27, 2017
Summary
Forensic analysis identified Brephedrone, a novel psychoactive substance and synthetic cathinone, in Brazil. This marked the first detection of Brephedrone in Minas Gerais, highlighting emerging drug trends.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Emerging psychoactive substances (NPS) pose significant challenges to forensic laboratories worldwide.
- Synthetic cathinones, a class of NPS, are frequently encountered due to their stimulant properties and structural modifications.
- Brephedrone (4-bromomethcathinone) is a synthetic cathinone derivative with potential psychoactive effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first identification and characterization of Brephedrone in Brazil.
- To analyze the chemical properties of Brephedrone using various analytical techniques.
- To contribute to the understanding of NPS distribution and forensic detection.
Main Methods:
- Seized capsules were subjected to comprehensive drug testing analysis.
- Analytical techniques included Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (1H, 13C, and 2D NMR) were employed for structural elucidation and confirmation.
Main Results:
- Sixty-two capsules containing red-brown crystals were analyzed.
- The substance was unequivocally identified as Brephedrone, a bromine synthetic cathinone.
- This represented the first documented detection of Brephedrone in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
Conclusions:
- The identification of Brephedrone in Brazil underscores the need for continuous monitoring of NPS.
- This case highlights the importance of advanced analytical methods in forensic drug testing.
- Further research is warranted to understand the prevalence and toxicological profile of Brephedrone in Brazil.
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