Identification and characterization of a novel cathinone derivative 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethanone seized by customs in Jersey

A suspicious white powder labeled “idanyl-biphenyl-amninone,” which was seized by customs officials at the "channel island" of Jersey, UK, was brought to our laboratory for identification and characterization of its structure. The elucidation process required the use of several complementary analytical techniques, including gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The unknown compound was ultimately identified as 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethanone, a novel cathinone derivative. To the best of our knowledge, this compound has not been registered in the CAS or IUPAC databases. However, it has recently been marketed on the Internet as “indapyrophenidone,” and we therefore propose this as the common name of the compound. The results of this study may serve forensic and clinical laboratories in the identification of its related compounds with similar backbone structure using the information reported in this article obtained by the application of advanced analytical techniques. It may also lead to timely and effective response on the part of legislators and law enforcement.