Problems of Forensic Sciences 2017 Vol. 109 (CIX) 65-82
DETERMINATION OF N-ETHYLHEXEDRONE, A NEW CATHINONE DERIVATIVE, IN BLOOD COLLECTED FROM DRIVERS – ANALYSIS OF THREE CASES
Anna MIKOŁAJCZYK, Piotr ADAMOWICZ, Bogdan TOKARCZYK, Karolina SEKUŁA, Joanna GIEROŃ, Wioleta WRZESIEŃ, Roman STANASZEK
Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland
Streszczenie
N-ethylhexedrone (HEX-EN) is a synthetic cathinone, a hexedrone derivative, which is structurally close to other popular cathinones such as pentedrone and α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP). This substance appeared in Europe in October 2015, and it was detected in biological material for the first time at the Institute of Forensic Research in Krakow at the beginning of 2017. The article presents three cases in which the presence of N-ethylhexedrone in the blood of drivers was revealed. The use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with different mass analyzers and in-depth analysis of mass spectra enabled the detection and identification of this compound, which was not covered by previously applied screening method. Liquid-liquid extraction was used for the isolation of N-ethylhexedrone from blood samples. The developed liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-mass spectrometry (LC-LIT-MS) method was successfully applied in the determination of N-ethylhexedrone. Blood concentrations of this compound ranged from 8 to 37 ng/ml. Despite the lack of clear symptoms in the reported driving cases, the N-ethylhexedrone effects reported on the Internet forums suggest that driving under the influence of this substance should be treated as a potential threat to traffic safety.
Słowa kluczowe
N-ethylhexedrone; HEX-EN; New psychoactive substance; LC-MS; Blood sample analysis.