Challenges encountered in the enantioselective analysis of new psychoactive substances exemplified by clephedrone (4-CMC).

In this study we report on efforts to develop an enantioselective method for the detection of the drug of abuse clephedrone (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-1-propanone (4-chloromethcathinone, also known as 4-CMC or para-chloro-methcathinone)) and its phase-1 metabolites in human biological fluids. The major goal is not to only report results, but primarily to emphasize the various challenges encountered when developing a reliable analytical method for the detection and quantification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and their metabolites in the matrix of interest. Such challenges start with the lack of chemical stability of some NPS in biological matrices.