N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene

The following information was compiled in June 2023 and is subject to change as new research is conducted and as new information becomes available:

Description: N-Pyrrolidino protonitazene is a novel synthetic opioid bearing structural resemblance to protonitazene, N-pyrrolidino etonitazene, and other nitazene (2-benzylbenzimidazole) analogues and is an isomer of N-pyrrolidino isotonitazene. In January 2023, N-pyrrolidino protonitazene was detected for the first time in the United States. Our laboratory continues to gather toxicology data for this novel drug.

Sample Source: NMS Labs – Toxicology Laboratory, NMS Labs – Criminalistics Laboratory, etc.

Sample Appearance: Drug Material – Brown Powder. Toxicology – Blood Specimens.

Pharmacology: Limited information regarding the pharmacology of N-pyrrolidino protonitazene is currently known. Recent in vitro studies examining activity and potency found that N-pyrrolidino protonitazene is an active opioid with potency approximately 25 times greater than that of fentanyl [unpublished data from L. De Vrieze and C. Stove]. Based on structural similarity, N-pyrrolidino protonitazene is expected to exhibit similar adverse effects to other nitazene analogues.

Toxicology: N-Pyrrolidino protonitazene has been detected in eight toxicology cases at the CFSRE.

Drug Materials: N-Pyrrolidino protonitazene has been identified in one drug material at the CFSRE.

Demographics / Geographics: Cases originated from at least three states, including Illinois, West Virginia, and Minnesota. In death investigations, decedents were predominantly male, ranging in age from 20s-70s.

Legal Status: N-Pyrrolidino protonitazene is not explicitly scheduled in the United States.

Class:

Opioid

Appearance:

Brown Powder

Formula:

C23H28N4O3

MW:

408.49

[M+]:

408

[M+H]+:

409.2234

IUPAC:

5-nitro-2-[(4-propoxyphenyl)methyl]-1-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl)benzimidazole

Report Date:

June 22, 2023