A new process of ketamine synthesis from 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-nitrocyclohexanone proposed by analyzing drug materials and chemicals seized in Taiwan.

Because of its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, ketamine is often abused for recreational purposes. Thus, the seizure of ketamine manufacturing units is crucial for preventing drug abuse. The precursors popularly used for ketamine synthesis include 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)(methylimino)methyl]cyclopentanol hydrochloride and 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-nitrocyclohexanone (2-CPNCH).

Identification of a novel norketamine precursor from seized powders: 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-nitrocyclohexanone.

The identification of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) and their precursors is crucial to understand trends in NPSs so that they can be regulated before they pose a serious threat to human health. In this case, 24 bags containing approximately 600 kg of yellow powder were seized; the smugglers had been monitored for 3 years by the officers of Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau. A handheld Raman analyzer yielded a positive result for N-boc norketamine; thus, the seized powder was sent to this laboratory for confirmation through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatographyhigh-resolution mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (C NMR), two-dimensional correlation NMR measurements (2D_COSY), heteronuclear single-quantum correlation NMR measurements (2D_HSQC), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.