Examination of the hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine

Abstract

Physical characteristics are reported for a tablet form of a new hallucinogenic drug previously circulating in the USA under the name “STP”. High resolution mass, nmr, ultraviolet and infrared spectrometric evidence, which identify the extracted base as 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylamphetamine, and its chromatographic behaviour, are compared with the experimental compound “DOM”. Polymorphic modifications exhibiting distinct solid phase infrared spectra have been studied by X‐ray diffraction and by differential calorimetry. Animal behavioural tests indicate that the psychotomimetic activity of the base is comparable with mescaline but up to 50 times more potent.

The new drug phenomenon

“…Though a number of ring‐substituted phenethylamines, such as 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylamphetamine (STP) began to appear in the 1960s, a major shift began in the late 1970s, and particularly in the 1980s with the emergence of the proliferation of uncontrolled derivatives of α‐prodine and fentanyl (e.g. α ‐methylfentanyl and 3‐methylfentanyl) which were given the nickname ‘designer drugs’ by Gary Henderson .…”

Sewage‐based epidemiology in monitoring the use of new psychoactive substances: Validation and application of an analytical method using LC‐MS/MS

“…[14] The NPS issue is not that recent, it was in the 1960s when some research groups caught on to the idea of drugs with effects similar to an illicit drug being sold legally. [10,15] However, more recently, the speed at which these compounds appear has tremendously risen. Only since 2009 to 2013, the UNODC have reported the detection of 182 new compounds.…”

Identification of seven psychedelic 2,5‐dimethoxy‐phenylethyl‐amine‐based designer drugs via benchtop 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

“…[ 20 ] For a reported 100 MHz NMR spectrum of amphetamine derived 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylamphetamine (DOM) the aromatic hydrogen atoms with similar electronic environment were observed as one single‐peak signal by the authors. [ 21 ] Accordingly, the near identical chemical shift of the aromatic signals of 2C‐D·HCl ( 3 ) can be explained by the symmetry of the molecular structure. However, the resolution of the aromatic signals was observed to be higher in the 1 H NMR spectrum for a low concentrated sample (1 mg/0.6 ml, see SI).…”