Identification and characterization of 4-chloromethamphetamine (4-CMA) in seized ecstacy : a risk to public health

Abstract This paper reports the structure elucidation and full characterization of 4-chloromethamphetamine (4-CMA), a compound which was never reported previously outside of laboratory settings in seized drug samples, or samples actively being used at large dance festivals. Identification of 4-CMA was obtained by liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Further structure elucidation was performed by fragment pattern analysis of the trimethylsilyl and trifluoroacetyl derivatives with GC–MS. The region-isomeric form was confirmed by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H NMR). HPLC-PDA was used for quantitation of 4-CMA in the seized tablet to obtain an indication of the potency. A literature review of the toxic effects of 4-CMA was performed, and mechanisms for serotonin neurotoxicity were proposed and discussed. Finally the risks for potential widespread harm to the public in events where similar substances or tablets start appearing and circulating on a larger scale in the general population is discussed.