Eutylone
[CAS# 802855-66-9]

Identification

• Classification: Pharmaceutical intermediate >> Heterocyclic compound intermediate >> Pyrimidine compound >> Ketones
• Name: Eutylone
• Synonyms: 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)butan-1-one
• Protein Sequence: X
• Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₁₇NO₃
• Molecular Weight: 235.28
• CAS Registry Number: 802855-66-9
• SMILES: CCC(C(=O)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)OCO2)NCC

Properties

• Density: 1.1±0.1 g/cm³ Calc.^*
• Boiling point: 374.7±42.0 ºC 760 mmHg (Calc.)^*
• Flash point: 180.4±27.9 ºC (Calc.)^*
• Index of refraction: 1.535 (Calc.)^*

^* Calculated using Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) Software.

Discovory and Applicatios

Eutylone, also known by its IUPAC name 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)butan-1-one, is a synthetic cathinone and stimulant substance belonging to the broader class of beta-keto amphetamines. It is structurally related to compounds such as ethylone and butylone and features a substituted phenethylamine core with a β-ketone functional group. Eutylone first appeared in recreational drug markets in the mid-2010s and has been identified in forensic samples worldwide, often sold as a "research chemical" or under the label of "bath salts."

Eutylone has not been developed or approved for any medical use and has no known legitimate industrial applications. Its emergence is attributed to attempts to circumvent drug control laws by modifying the structure of previously controlled substances. The synthesis of eutylone follows typical cathinone production routes involving condensation of the appropriate ketone with an amine, followed by purification steps. Its synthesis and distribution are subject to significant regulatory restrictions in many countries due to its abuse potential and safety concerns.

Chemically, eutylone consists of a 1,3-benzodioxole ring (a methylenedioxyphenyl group) attached to a β-ketone chain bearing an ethylamino substituent. This structure makes it similar to ethylone but with an additional methyl group on the alkyl side chain, affecting both its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The compound appears as a white or off-white crystalline solid and is typically encountered in powder or tablet form.

Eutylone acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Limited in vitro studies and structural similarity to other cathinones suggest that it functions by increasing the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) in the brain, likely by acting as a reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent. However, the precise mechanism and potency of eutylone in humans have not been fully elucidated, and no official pharmacological data are available from clinical studies.

Adverse effects associated with eutylone use are consistent with those of other synthetic cathinones and may include agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, hallucinations, paranoia, and, in severe cases, seizures or death. Intoxication cases reported in the literature and by toxicology centers often involve polydrug use, complicating the assessment of its individual toxicity. The duration and intensity of eutylone’s effects can vary widely depending on the dose, route of administration, and user-specific factors.

Due to its lack of approved use and potential for harm, eutylone has been placed under legal control in many countries. For example, it is classified as a Schedule I substance in the United States, indicating that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Similar restrictions exist in the European Union, China, Canada, and other jurisdictions. Its detection in biological samples and forensic materials is performed using techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

The appearance of eutylone in drug markets highlights the ongoing challenge of synthetic drug proliferation, where minor structural modifications to controlled substances give rise to new psychoactive substances with unpredictable effects. Scientific understanding of eutylone remains limited due to ethical and legal constraints on research, and it is primarily studied within the context of forensic toxicology and public health.

In summary, eutylone is a synthetic cathinone with stimulant properties, chemically and functionally related to other β-keto amphetamines. It has no approved medical or industrial applications and is used illicitly for its psychoactive effects. Regulatory authorities worldwide have acted to restrict its manufacture, sale, and possession due to its potential for abuse and associated health risks.

References

2022. A review of synthetic cathinones emerging in recent years (2019�2022). Forensic Toxicology, 40(2).
DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00639-5

2019. Synthetic Cannabinoids and Psychoactive Compounds. Zenodo.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3247723

2024. List of 7074 potential endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) by PARC T4.2. Zenodo.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10944198