6-APB

6-APB
Ball-and-stick model of the 6-APB molecule
Systematic (IUPAC) name
6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number 286834-85-3 N 286834-84-2 (HCl)
ATC code none
PubChem CID 9794343
ChemSpider 7970110 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C11H13NO
Molar mass 175.23 g/mol
 NYesY (what is this?)  (verify)

6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran or 1-benzofuran-6-ylpropan-2-amine (6-APB), also known as Benzofury, is an entactogenic compound of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes. It is a recreational drug that is similar in structure to MDA, but differs in that the 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl ring system has been replaced with a benzofuran ring. 6-APB is also the unsaturated benzofuran derivative of 6-APDB. While the drug never became particularly popular, it briefly entered the rave and underground clubbing scene in the UK before its sale and import were banned. It falls under the category of research chemicals, sometimes called "legal highs." Because they have not been explicitly outlawed in some countries, they are often technically legal, contributing to their popularity. It was first synthesized by David Nichols and his team in 1993 while studying non-neurotoxic analogs of MDMA. 6-APB is often confused with the very similar 6-APDB which is lacking a double bond on carbon 2 and 3 of the furan ring. It is a tan grainy type of powder, which is supposed to be pure. The pellet form contains varying doses of 6-APB mixed with caffeine and potentially another trivial stimulant (from analysis) or mixed with magnesium stearate as a cutting agent.[1]

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

6-APB is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor with Ki values of 117, 150 and 2698 nM for NET, DAT and SERT respectively as well as being a potent agonist for the 5-HT2B receptor (Ki 3.7 nM).[2] The subjective effects and structure–activity relationship suggest that it is also a releasing agent.

The agonism for 5-HT2B makes it likely that 6-APB would be cardiotoxic with long term use, as seen in other 5-HT2B agonists, such as fenfluramine and MDMA.[2][3] 6-APB acts as an agonist of the 5-HT2C receptor,[4] which may be responsible for its appetite suppression. While 6-APB is an agonist at all three 5-HT2 receptor subtypes, its affinity for 5-HT2B is significantly higher. It is both more potent and more selective over other serotonin receptors than the reference agonist, BW723C86, which is commonly used for research into 5-HT2B receptors.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of 6-APB have not been studied, however, some information can be extracted from user reports. These suggest an slow onset of 20–120 minutes. The drugs maximum effects last 3–4 hours, followed by a comedown phase of up to 24 hours.[5]

Metabolism

Although limited literature is available, there is some data on metabolism of 6-APB in rats. Its Phase I metabolism involves hydroxylation of the furan ring, then cleavage of the ring, followed by a reduction of the unsaturated aldehyde from the previous step. The resulting aldehyde may then takes two paths. It is either oxidized to a carboxylic acid or reduced to an alcohol, and then hydroxylated. Phase II metabolism consists of glucuronidation. The most prevalent metabolites in rats were 3-carboxymethyl-4-hydroxy-amphetamine and 4-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxy-amphetamine.[6]

The agonism for 5-HT2B makes it likely that 6-APB would be cardiotoxic with long term use, as seen in other 5-HT2B agonists, such as fenfluramine and MDMA.[2][3] 6-APB acts as an agonist of the 5-HT2C receptor,[4] which may be responsible for its appetite suppression. While 6-APB is an agonist at all three 5-HT2 receptor subtypes, its affinity for 5-HT2B is significantly higher. It is both more potent and more selective over other serotonin receptors than the reference agonist, BW723C86, which is commonly used for research into 5-HT2B receptors.

Reactions

6-APB and it's structural isomer 5-APB were tested with a series of agents including: Marquis, Liebermann, Mecke, and Froehde reagents. Reagent testing is performed by obtaining a small amount of the substance in question and dripping the selected reagent onto it. Each reagent tests for a chemical property and will change to a specific color in an allotted time to analyze the results. Marquis reagent is composed of a mixture of sulfuric acid and formaldehyde and detects certain alkaloids and will go from colored purple to black in 0–5 seconds when added to a variety of substances, most notable MDMA and MDA. Marquis reagent and 6-APB also has reported some fizzing but no smoke. Lieberman reagent is a mixture of potassium nitrite and concentrated sulfuric acid and also identifies alkaloids as well as other substances from its test. 6-APB turned dark purple when in contact with Liebermann reagent which, unlike the Marquis reagent, is not unique to either MDA or MDMA. Mecke reagent is composed of a mixture of selenous acid and concentrated sulfuric acid and turns purple when in contact with 6-APB. And Froehde reagent can be a combination of molybdic acid or a molybdate salt dissolved in hot, concentrated sulfuric acid, which, when added to 6-APB, turns purple as well.[7]

Compound Marquis Liebermann Mecke Froehde
5-APB Black Black Black Dark Purple
6-APB Purple Dark Purple Purple Purple

As for solubility, 6-APB is reported to be practically insoluble in CHCl3 as well as very minimally soluble in cold H2O.[8]

Synthesis

Exact experimental details are not provided, but roughly follow the provided procedure. The procedure of Briner et al.[9] was the most comprehensive thus far and was replicated by Casale and Hays[8] as described below.

Briefly, bromophenol was refluxed with bromoacetaldehyde and NaH to give the diethyl acetyl, which then was heated with polyphosphoric acid to give a mixture of bromobenzofurans structural isomers: 4-Bromo-1-benzofuran and 6-Bromo-1-benzofuran. Both isomers were separated via silica gel column chromatography, then catalytically converted to their respective 2-propanones, and then reductively aminated to 6-APB and 4-APB. Both of which were converted to their HCl ion-pairs for further examination.

Synthesis of 6-APB and its structural isomer 4-APB drawn on JSDraw 4 following the reaction scheme from: http://forendex.southernforensic.org/uploads/references/MicrogramJournal/9.2.61.74.pdf

Effects

Users report a feeling a sense of euphoria and energy. The effect has been most closely compared with those of ecstasy.[10] Adverse effects include loss of appetite, hallucinations, severe paranoia, tachycardia, insomnia, and jaw tensions. Users warn of neurotoxicity and brain damage, although the reports are unconfirmed. Web forum users also report serotonin syndrome, especially if combined with SSRI's. These side effects are similar to MDA, but much more profound than MDMA. Researchers claim that it produces about the same addiction as amphetamines.[10]

Cases of Abuse

A 21-year old man in Europe with no previous medical or psychiatric history was admitted to an Emergency Department in 2013 with severe paranoia and agitation. He was evaluated by numerous doctors and treated with diazepam. Of particular interest was his physical examination. His heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, among other things, were found to be normal. Particularly, there were no signs of serotonin toxicity. Upon transfer to a psychiatric hospital, his condition improved to near normal within 3 days and he was discharged. This is one of the most well documented cases, however because cannabis use was discovered, 6-APB cannot be named as the sole cause.[10] Most other cases of abuse are merely anecdotal.

Law

Canada

6-APB is Schedule III[11] in Canada as it is an analogue of MDA.[12] The CDSA was updated as a result of the Safe Streets Act changing amphetamines from Schedule 3 to Schedule 1.[13]

France and Italy

6-APB is unscheduled in France and Italy.

Germany

6-APB is illegal in Germany since the 17th of July, 2013, when it was added to the Betäubungsmittelgesetz.[14]

Netherlands

6-APB is not listed under the Opium Law or the Medicine Act in the Netherlands, and thus currently legal.

New Zealand and Australia

Certain countries contain a "substantially similar" catch-all clause in their drug law, such as New Zealand and Australia. This includes 6-APB as it is similar in chemical structure to the class A drug MDA,[15] meaning 6-APB may be viewed as a controlled substance analogue in these jurisdictions.[16]

Sweden

In Sweden, 6-APB is classified as "health hazard" under the act Lagen om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor (translated Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health) as of December 27, 2009 under SFS 2009:1095[17] making it illegal to sell or possess.

UK

On June 10, 2013 6-APB and a number of analogues were classified as Temporary Class Drugs in the UK following an ACMD recommendation.[3] This means that sale and import of the named substances are criminal offences and are treated as for class B drugs.[18] On November 28, 2013 the ACMD recommended that 6-APB and related benzofurans should become Class B, Schedule 1 substances.[3] On March 5, 2014 the UK Home Office announced that 6-APB would be made a class B drug on 10 June 2014 alongside every other benzofuran entactogen and many structurally related drugs.[19]

USA

6-APB is unscheduled in the United States, but not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human consumption.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jebadurai, Jeshoor Kumar. "Qualitative research of online drug misuse communities with reference to the novel psychoactive substances." (2013).
  2. 1 2 3 Iversen, L.; Gibbons, S.; Treble, R.; Setola, V.; Huang, X. P.; Roth, B. L. (2012). "Neurochemical profiles of some novel psychoactive substances". European Journal of Pharmacology. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.12.006.
  3. 1 2 3 4  • "Temporary class drug order report on 5-6APB and NBOMe compounds". UK Home Office. 4 Jun 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-13. • "Benzofurans: A review of the evidence of use and harm" (pdf). 2013-11-28.
  4. 1 2 US patent 7045545, Karin Briner et al, "Aminoalkylbenzofurans as serotonin (5-HT(2c)) agonists", published 2000-01-19, issued 2006-16-03
  5. ↑ Greene, Shaun (5 April 2016). "Benzofurans and benzodifurans". Novel Psychoactive Substances.
  6. ↑ Johanna, Nugteren (5 April 2016). "Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicology of new psychoactive substances (NPS): 2C-B, 4-fluoroamphetamine and benzofurans". Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
  7. ↑ Morris, James. "Color Tests and Analytical Difficulties with Emerging ..." Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
  8. 1 2 Casale, John F., and Patrick A. Hays. "The characterization of 6-(2-aminopropyl) benzofuran and differentiation from its 4-, 5-, and 7-positional analogues." Microgram J 9.2 (2012): 61-74.
  9. ↑ Briner, Karin, et al. "Aminoalkylbenzofurans as serotonin (5-HT (2C)) agonists." U.S. Patent No. 7,045,545. 16 May 2006.
  10. 1 2 3 "Legal Benzo Fury 'as dangerous as illegal drugs such as ecstasy', study claims". Dailymail.
  11. ↑ "Isomer Design: CDSA Schedule I: Amphetamines".(English)
  12. ↑ "Isomer Design: Definitions and Interpretations".(English)
  13. ↑ "Safe Streets Act".(English)
  14. ↑ Verordnung zur Änderung von betäubungsmittelrechtlichen Vorschriften, Art. 1 VO vom 9. Juli 2013(BGBl. I S. 2274)
  15. ↑ "ethyl-6-benzofuran Ethanamine ydrochloride (6-APB Hydrochloride)". United States Biological. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 New Zealand.". legislation.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 28 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  17. ↑ http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/fakta/a9990058.HTM
  18. ↑ "'NBOMe' and 'Benzofury' banned". UK Home Office. 4 Jun 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  19. ↑ UK Home Office (2014-03-05). "The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Ketamine etc.) (Amendment) Order 2014". UK Government. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
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