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In recent years, a large number of tryptamine-based designer drugs have been encountered in forensic samples. We have developed simultaneous analytical methods for 14 tryptamine analogues using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS). Trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of the analytes were separated on a DB-1ms column within 15 min. The structural isomers could be differentiated by electron ionization GC–MS. LC–MS–MS with a C18 column could separate structural isomers of tryptamines except for a combination of 5-methoxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine. Higher collision energy gave different product ion spectra between the structural isomers. The results indicate that GC–MS is the first choice for identification of tryptamines, preferably after TMS derivatization, and LC–MS–MS can be used as a complementary approach for the unequivocal differentiation of tryptamine isomers.

In recent years, a large number of clandestinely produced controlled-substance analogs (designer drugs) of amphetamine with high structural variety have been detected in forensic samples. Analytical differentiation of regioisomers is a significant issue in forensic drug analysis because, in most cases, legal controls are placed only on one or two of the three isomers. In this study, we used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for the differentiation of regioisomers of fluoroamphetamine analogs (fluoroamphetamines and fluoromethamphetamines), which were synthesized in our laboratories. Free bases and their acylated and silylated derivatives were subjected to GC–MS analysis using DB-1ms, DB-5ms, and DB-17ms capillary columns. The separation of free bases was incomplete on all columns. Trifluoroacetyl derivatives of 3- and 4-positional isomers showed slight separation on DB-1ms and DB-5ms. On the other hand, trimethylsilyl derivatization enabled baseline separation of six fluoroamphetamine analogs on DB-1ms and DB-5ms columns, which was sufficient for unequivocal identification. For LC–MS/MS, a pentafluorophenyl column was able to separate six regioisomeric fluoroamphetamine analogs but a conventional C18 column could not achieve separation between 3- and 4-positional isomers. These results show that a suitable choice of derivatization and analytical columns allows the differentiation of regioisomeric fluoroamphetamine analogs.

A new and convenient method for the preparation of 3-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes was developed. α-Substituted 2-(1-phenylethylthio)styrenes, which could easily be prepared from 2-mercaptophenyl ...

A convenient synthetic method for 1-aryl-1H-indole derivatives has been developed. 2-(Arylamino)-α-methylstyrene derivatives were treated with iodine in the presence of sodium hydrogencarbonate to ...

The iodoamination of o-(acylamino)styrene derivatives using iodine and sodium hydrogencarbonate, producing 7-acyl-8-iodomethylbicyclo[4.2.0]-7-azaoct-1,3,5-triene [1-acyl-2-(iodomethyl)benzazetine]...

2,4-Disubstituted quinolines have been synthesized by reactions of o-isocyano-β-methoxystyrenes, which can be easily prepared from commercially available o-aminophenyl ketones in three steps, with alkyl(or aryl)lithiums in generally good yields. Subsequently, o-isocyano-β-methoxystyrenes have also proved to react efficiently with lithium dialkylamides to afford the corresponding 4-substituted N,N-dialkylquinolin-2-amines in satisfactory yields.

4-Aryl-2-methyl(or phenyl)thio-2H-1-benzothiopyrans have been prepared in satisfactory yields from the corresponding 1-(1-aryl-2-methoxyethenyl)-2-{[methyl(or phenyl)thiomethyl]thio}benzenes via li...

The first general method for the synthesis of 4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-one derivatives has been developed. Treatment of t-butyl 2-vinylphenyl carbonates with iodine in the presence of sodium hydrogencarbonate gave 4-iodomethyl-4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-one derivatives in moderate to good yields. These iodides were reduced with tributyltin hydride to give the corresponding 4-methyl-4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-one derivatives.

It has been found that halogen-lithium exchange between α-substituted 2-bromo-β-methoxystyrene derivatives and n-butyllithium generates α-substituted 2-lithio-β-methoxystyrene derivatives, which successfully react with a range of nitriles to afford the corresponding 1,4-disubstituted isoquinolines in reasonable yields.

The first general method for the synthesis of 4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-one derivatives has been developed. Treatment of t-butyl 2-vinylphenyl carbonates with iodine in the presence of sodium hydrogencarbonate gave 4-iodomethyl-4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-one derivatives in moderate to good yields. These iodides were reduced with tributyltin hydride to give the corresponding 4-methyl-4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-one derivatives.

2,4-Disubstituted quinolines have been synthesized by reactions of o-isocyano-β-methoxystyrenes, which can be easily prepared from commercially available o-aminophenyl ketones in three steps, with alkyl(or aryl)lithiums in generally good yields. Subsequently, o-isocyano-β-methoxystyrenes have also proved to react efficiently with lithium dialkylamides to afford the corresponding 4-substituted N,N-dialkylquinolin-2-amines in satisfactory yields.

Reactions of 3-acyl-1,2-naphthoquinones with ethyl mercaptoacetate followed by protection of the resulting hydroxyl groups and thiophene ring formation using 1-trimethylsilylimidazole, deprotection with hydrochloric acid,and oxidation with cerium(lV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) gave, in one-pot, the title thienonaphthoquinone derivatives in moderate to good yields.

4,7-Dioxo-4,7-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylates (1) underwent regioselective acylation at the 5-position with a range of aldehydes under irradiation to give the corresponding 5-acyl-4,7-dihydroxybenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylates (2), which were then oxidized with Ag 2 O to afford 5-acyl-4,7-dioxo-4,7-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylates (3 ). These acylated benzothiophenquinone derivatives were transformed in one-pot to 4,8-dioxo-4,8-dihydrobenzo[1,2-b:5,4-b']dithiophene-2,6-dicarboxylates (5) by treatment with mercaptoacetates, followed by 1-trimethylsilylimidazole-mediated cyclization and cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) oxidation.