Formation of cocaisopropylene (isopropylcocaine) by human liver in vitro

The formation of cocaisopropylene (CI), the isopropyl homologue of cocaine (COC), was demonstrated by the incubation of whole human liver homogenates with cocaine hydrochloride and isopropanol. Measurable concentrations of CI were noted within 1 h of incubation. The reaction was completely inhibited by sodium fluoride. As a control on hepatic enzymatic activity, aliquots of the same homogenates were also incubated with COC and ethanol to yield cocaethylene (CE), which was previously demonstrated by this system. Peak concentrations of CI were approximately 0.1-0.2 of those of CE.