Identification of three novel new psychoactive substances 4F-AB-BUTINACA, AB-PHETINACA, and 2F-NENDCK

The identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is an active and cutting-edge topic in forensic science. With the emergence of a large number of NPS, their timely identification to prevent spread can pose a challenge to clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. Three emerging NPS had been identified in recently seized materials, including two synthetic cannabinoids [N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobutyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (4F-AB-BUTINACA) and N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-phenethyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-PHETINACA)] and a ketamine-like substance [2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(ethylamino) cyclohexan-1-one(2F-NENDCK)]. The three compounds were first identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These data may assist forensic analysts in analyzing the same substances or their homologous compounds.