Case report: Identification of AP-238 and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in internet available powder samples sold as bucinnazine.
Karissa N Resnik, Kala N Babb, Lori W Bekenstein, F Gerard Moeller, Michelle R Peace, Emanuele Amorim Alves
Forensic Science International July 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111732 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Two white powder samples purchased on the internet as bucinnazine |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine Ap-238 Bucinnazine Dart-ms Gc-ms Microscopy New synthetic opioids |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Neither powder sold as bucinnazine contained bucinnazine; one was 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine and the other was AP-238. |
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) are a class of opioid agonists that include analogs of fentanyl and structurally distinct non-fentanyl compounds normally used as standalone products, heroin adulterants, or constituents of counterfeit pain pills. Most NSOs are not currently scheduled in the U.S., are predominantly illegally synthesized, and sold on the Darknet. Among them, the cinnamylpiperazine derivatives such as bucinnazine (AP-237), AP-238, and 2-methyl-AP-237 and the arylcyclohexylamine derivatives, analogs of ketamine, such as 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine (2 F-DCK) have appeared in several monitoring systems. Two white powders purchased on the internet as bucinnazine were first analyzed with polarized light microscopy followed by direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both powders were white crystals with no other significant microscopic properties. The DART-MS analysis showed the presence of 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in powder #1, and AP-238 in powder #2. Identification was confirmed by GC-MS. The purity of each substance was 78.0% for powder #1, and 88.9% for powder #2, respectively. The toxicological risk associated with the misuse of NSOs still needs further study. The absence of bucinnazine and the presence of different active compounds in internet purchased samples raises public health and safety concerns.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ketamine, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Ketamine Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings) CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics April 10, 2013
- Ketamine use: a review Addiction July 21, 2011
- Fatal intoxication related to two new arylcyclohexylamine derivatives (2F-DCK and 3-MeO-PCE). Forensic Science International July 1, 2021