Multi-milligram resolution and determination of absolute configuration of pentedrone and methylone enantiomers

Abstract The enantioresolution of pentedrone and methylone was carried out at a multi-milligram scale by liquid chromatography on a Chiralpak AS® stationary phase. The excellent enantioresolution using this column allowed to collect highly pure enantiomeric fractions, achieving enantiomeric ratios higher than 98%. An overall recovery of 72% was achieved for pentedrone enantiomers and 80% for methylone. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of the enantiomers of both cathinones was determined for the first time by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy, with the aid of theoretical calculations, as (+)‑( S ) and (−)‑( R )-pentedrone, and (−)‑( S ) and (+)‑( R )‑methylone.