Cathinones

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Cathinones are a large and rapidly evolving family of synthetic stimulants structurally related to the naturally occurring alkaloid cathinone, the principal psychoactive constituent of the khat plant (Catha edulis). All materials in this category are supplied exclusively as high-purity analytical reference standards intended for use in forensic, toxicological, clinical, and pharmaceutical research laboratories.

What are cathinones?

Cathinones are β-keto phenethylamines — that is, they share the core phenethylamine structure but feature a ketone group at the β-position (adjacent to the aromatic ring). This β-keto functionality significantly alters the pharmacological profile compared to classic amphetamines, generally increasing potency, altering metabolism, and changing the balance between monoamine transporter activity (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin).

The parent compound, cathinone, is naturally present in fresh khat leaves. Modern synthetic cathinones are fully synthetic derivatives with diverse substitutions on the aromatic ring, the α-carbon, and/or the nitrogen atom.

Natural and reference cathinones

• Cathinone (natural, S-(-)-enantiomer predominant)
• Methcathinone (N-methylcathinone, ephedrone)
• Cathine (norpseudoephedrine, natural khat constituent, less potent)

Major structural classes of synthetic cathinones

Synthetic cathinones are typically grouped by their N-substitution and ring substituents:

N-Alkyl cathinones (most common in early waves)

• Methylone (bk-MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone)
• Ethylone (bk-MDEA)
• Butylone (bk-MBDB)
• Pentylone
• MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone)
• α-PVP (α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, “flakka”)
• α-PVT (α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone)
• α-PHP (α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone)
• α-PiHP (α-pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone)
• MDPHP (3′,4′-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone)

4-Substituted cathinones

• 4-MMC (4-methylmethcathinone, mephedrone)
• 4-CMC (4-chloromethcathinone, clephedrone)
• 4-CEC (4-chloroethcathinone)
• 4-FMC (4-fluoromethcathinone, flephedrone)
• 4-MEC (4-methylethcathinone)
• 3-CMC (3-chloromethcathinone, clophedrone)
• 3-CEC

N,N-Dialkyl and more complex pyrrolidine derivatives

• N-Ethylpentedrone (NEPD, α-ethylaminopentiophenone)
• N-Ethylnorpentylone (EG-018, ephylone)
• 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylpentedrone (bk-EBDP, N-ethylpentylone)
• N,N-Dimethylpentedrone
• MDPHP
• 4F-α-PHP (4-fluoro-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone)

Other notable structural variants

• Dibutylone
• Naphyrone (naphthylpyrovalerone)
• Pentedrone
• 2-MMC (2-methylmethcathinone)
• 3-MMC (3-methylmethcathinone, metaphedrone)

Legitimate scientific and analytical applications

Certified cathinone reference standards are essential for:

• Development and validation of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and HRMS screening and confirmation methods
• Identification and quantification in seized materials (powders, crystals, tablets, capsules, liquids)
• Forensic toxicological analysis of biological specimens (blood, serum, urine, oral fluid, hair, tissues)
• Metabolic profiling and characterization of phase I and II metabolites
• Pharmacokinetic studies
• Monoamine transporter inhibition and release assays (DAT, NET, SERT)
• Preparation of calibrators, quality control samples, and proficiency testing materials
• Stability and degradation studies (many cathinones are chemically unstable in solution or biological matrices)

Regulatory status and compliance requirements

The vast majority of synthetic cathinones are controlled substances in most jurisdictions:

• United States — Schedule I (most cathinones including mephedrone, MDPV, methylone, α-PVP, pentylone, etc.)
• Canada — Schedule III or I depending on compound
• European Union — controlled under national laws and EU NPS legislation; many are explicitly listed or covered by generic definitions
• United Kingdom — Class B (most) or Class A (certain potent members)
• Australia, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea — prohibited or heavily restricted

All products are supplied strictly for research, forensic, toxicological, and analytical purposes only. They are not intended for human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic use, therapeutic use, or any form of in-vivo administration. Customers must hold all required licenses, permits, and authorizations under applicable controlled substances and precursor chemical regulations.

Quality standards for cathinone reference materials

Reputable suppliers provide:

• Purity ≥98–99.9% (HPLC, qNMR)
• Full certificate of analysis including identity (NMR, HRMS, IR, UV), purity, and batch-specific data
• Isotopically labeled internal standards (e.g., mephedrone-d₃, MDPV-d₈, α-PVP-d₈, methylone-d₃)
• Documentation of positional isomer purity (e.g., 2-MMC vs 3-MMC vs 4-MMC)
• Enantiomeric purity when relevant (many cathinones are chiral)
• Recommended storage conditions (typically −20°C or −80°C, light and moisture protected)
• Stability data for parent compounds and major degradants

Commonly requested cathinones in modern analytical laboratories

• Mephedrone (4-MMC)
• Methylone
• MDPV
• α-PVP
• α-PHP
• N-Ethylpentylone
• 3-CMC
• 4-CMC
• 3-MMC
• Pentylone
• Ethylone
• Butylone
• Dibutylone
• 4F-α-PHP
• α-PiHP

Cathinones represent one of the most chemically diverse and analytically challenging classes of synthetic stimulants encountered in contemporary forensic and clinical toxicology. High-quality, well-characterized reference standards are critical for accurate identification, reliable quantification, metabolite elucidation, method validation, and supporting law enforcement and public health efforts worldwide.

All materials in this category are provided exclusively for legitimate research and analytical purposes and must be handled in strict compliance with national and international controlled substances regulations.

Explore individual product pages for detailed specifications, certificates of analysis, safety data sheets, and current availability of each cathinone reference standard.