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Identification of an acetal derivative of the piperonyl methyl ketone in tablets seized for suspected drug trafficking

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Abstract

Structural elucidation of a new chemical compound found in tablets seized in the Naples area (Italy) and manufactured in the Netherlands was conducted using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The compound was identified as the acetal derivative of the piperonyl methyl ketone (PMKA). The structure of PMKA is unprecedented and remarkable for the lack of a nitrogen atom at the distal position of the methylenedioxyphenyl moiety. Surprisingly, PMKA was inactive by itself, but it enhanced the stimulant effects on locomotor activity at the central nervous system level induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in mice.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Laure Menin (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) for performing the high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis.

Conflict of interest

There are no financial or other relations that could lead to a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Jussara Amato, Nunzia Iaccarino, Bruno Pagano, Roberto Russo, Carmen De Caro, Antonio Calignano, Ettore Novellino & Antonio Randazzo

  2. Laboratorio Indagini Chimiche, Gabinetto Interregionale di Polizia Scientifica per Campania e Molise, Naples, Italy

    Maria Maglieri & Guido Persico

Authors
  1. Jussara Amato
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  2. Nunzia Iaccarino
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  3. Bruno Pagano
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  4. Maria Maglieri
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  5. Guido Persico
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  6. Roberto Russo
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  7. Carmen De Caro
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  8. Antonio Calignano
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  9. Ettore Novellino
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  10. Antonio Randazzo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonio Randazzo.

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Amato, J., Iaccarino, N., Pagano, B. et al. Identification of an acetal derivative of the piperonyl methyl ketone in tablets seized for suspected drug trafficking. Forensic Toxicol 32, 311–316 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-014-0236-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-014-0236-7

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