Identification of a novel norketamine precursor from seized powders: 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-nitrocyclohexanone

Yen, Yu-Chun; Tseng, Shih-Hao; Huang, Deng-Ying; Tsai, Yi-Shiuan; Lee, Li-Wen; Chen, Pei-Lin; Liu, Yuh-Lin; Chyueh, San‐Chong

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111241

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The synthesis of ketamine has been studied for the purposes of medicine use or against illicit drug manufacturing [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. In real life, two processes for syntheses of ketamine as indicated in Figure 1A,B were commonly found in illicit ketamine manufacturing units [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, Zhang et al. developed a new process for synthesis of ketamine in 2017, as depicted in Figure 1B(a) [10–12]. They used 2‐(2‐chlorophenyl)cyclohexan‐1‐one and ceric ammonium nitrate in the presence of copper(II) acetate to synthesize 2‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐nitrocyclohexanone (2‐CPNCH).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…reported that 2‐CPNCH reacted with zinc powder and formic acid to form norketamine. Subsequently, norketamine underwent the Eschweiler–Clarke reaction to form ketamine using formaldehyde and formic acid, that were seized from an illicit manufacturing unit in 2023, as depicted in Figure 1B(b) [13]. It was also noted that N ‐methyl ketamine was found as the impurity in this novel process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

New materials used for the synthesis of 2‐chlorophenyl cyclopentyl ketone seized from an illicit ketamine manufacturing unit

Yen,

Liu,

Wang

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ketamine deemed as a psychoactive substance has gained popularity for recreational use owing to its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. Understanding the synthetic processes of ketamine can provide essential clues for law enforcement officers against illicit ketamine manufacturing. In this case report, a chemical company was being monitored by law enforcement officers due to its importation of precursors and materials that could be used for the synthesis of illicit drugs. After materials and products seized from this chemical company were employed for analyses using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses, ketamine, hydroxylamine, 2‐chlorophenyl cyclopentyl ketone, and cyclopentanone p‐toluenesulfonylhydrazone were identified. In addition, a novel process for the synthesis of ketamine precursor 2‐chlorophenyl cyclopentyl ketone from cyclopentanone p‐toluenesulfonylhydrazone and 2‐chlorobenzaldehyde was validated. This is the first report to uncover this novel process for the synthesis of 2‐chlorophenyl cyclopentyl ketone and can be used to increase awareness among law enforcement officers and forensic practitioners about these novel starting materials for the synthesis of ketamine.

show abstract