4'Cl-Deschloroalprazolam

4'Cl-Deschloroalprazolam is classified as a novel benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. Novel benzodiazepines, typically defined as emergent benzodiazepines not used medicinally, are often pirated from early drug discovery or pharmaceutical studies. Novel benzodiazepines have appeared on illicit drug markets in recent years and have caused adverse events, as described in the literature; fatalities linked to novel benzodiazepine use have occurred, commonly when used in combination with other depressants (e.g., opioids and alcohol). 4'Cl-Deschloroalprazolam was identified in Australia in pills collected in December 2021.¹ 4'Cl-Deschloroalprazolam is structurally similar to alprazolam. 4'Cl-Deschloroalprazolam is not federally controlled in the United States; however, alprazolam is a Schedule IV drug.

Analytical Note: Although 4'Cl-deschloroalprazolam and alprazolam are isomers, the two can be distinguished by mass spectral data by identifying unique fragment ions of each drug (e.g., alprazolam = 165.0214 Da vs. 4'Cl-deschloroalprazolam = 131.0604 Da).

Class:

Benzodiazepine

Appearance:

Blood

Formula:

C17H13ClN4

MW:

308.8

[M+]:

308

[M+H]+:

309.0902

IUPAC:

6-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine

Report Date:

December 7, 2022