Analytical characterization of “etonitazepyne,” a new pyrrolidinyl‐containing 2‐benzylbenzimidazole opioid sold online
Peter Blanckaert, Margot Balcaen, Céline Vanhee, Martijn Risseeuw, Michaël Canfyn, Bart Desmedt, Serge Van Calenbergh, Eric Deconinck
Abstract
Abstract This paper reports on the identification and full chemical characterization of the substance colloquially called “etonitazepyne” or “ N ‐pyrrolidino etonitazene” (2‐(4‐ethoxybenzyl)‐5‐nitro‐1‐(2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)ethyl)‐1 H ‐benzo[ d ]imidazole), a potent NPS opioid of the 5‐nitrobenzimidazole class. Identification of etonitazepyne was performed, on a sample purchased during routine monitoring of the drug market, using GC‐MS, HRAM LC‐MS/MS, 1 H NMR, and FTIR. The chromatographic data, together with the FTIR data, indicated the presence of a highly pure compound and already indicated a benzimidazole structure. The specific benzimidazole regio‐isomer was confirmed using 1 H NMR spectroscopy, resulting in the unambiguous identification of etonitazepyne.