%0 Journal Article %J Drug Test Anal %D 2021 %T Analytical characterization of "etonitazepyne," a new pyrrolidinyl-containing 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid sold online. %A Peter Blanckaert %A Margot Balcaen %A Celine Vanhee %A Martijn Risseeuw %A Michael Canfyn %A Bart Desmedt %A Van Calenbergh, Serge %A Eric Deconinck %K Benzimidazoles %K etonitazene %K new psychoactive substances %K opioid NPS %K pyrrolidine analogue %X

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)-1H-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, 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 H NMR spectroscopy, resulting in the unambiguous identification of etonitazepyne.

%B Drug Test Anal %V 13 %8 2021 Sep %G eng %N 9 %& 1627 %R 10.1002/dta.3113