4-Chloromethcathinone (also known as 4-CMC and Clephedrone) is a stimulant drug of the cathinone class that has been sold online as a designer drug.[1][2]

4-Chloromethcathinone
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-1-propanone
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.257.446 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC10H12ClNO
Molar mass197.66 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point198 °C (388 °F)
  • ClC1=CC=C(C(C(C)NC)=O)C=C1
  • InChI=1S/C10H12ClNO/c1-7(12-2)10(13)8-3-5-9(11)6-4-8/h3-7,12H,1-2H3
  • Key:UEJBEYOXRNGPEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N

4-CMC produces similar effects to mephedrone, and has been sold as an alternative in countries where mephedrone was scheduled.

Adverse effects

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Short-term

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4-CMC produces similar side effects to mephedrone, including: increased blood pressure, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and anxiety.[3]

Neurotoxicity

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Its chemical structure closely resembles para-chloromethamphetamine, raising concerns about its potential to readily induce cell death of serotoninergic neurons. However, no neurotoxicity of this kind has been found, but studies involving mice do indicate that it is neurotoxic through other mechanisms. 4-CMC is cytotoxic and induces oxidative stress.[4]

Pharmacology

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Pharmacodynamics

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Similar to mephedrone, 4-CMC mainly acts as a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (SNDRA), and partially as a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI) with similar potency.[3]

Effects of 4-CMC and mephedrone on neurotransmitter release[3]
Drug Release at DAT

EC50 (nM)

Release at NET

EC50 (nM)

Release at SERT

EC50 (nM)

Mephedrone 103 ± 16 83 ± 20 188 ± 22
4-CMC 91 ± 11 99 ± 18 169 ± 20
Effects of 4-CMC and mephedrone on inhibition of neurotransmitter uptake[3]
Drug Uptake Inhibition at DAT

IC50 (nM)

Uptake Inhibition at NET

IC50 (nM)

Uptake Inhibition at SERT

IC50 (nM)

Mephedrone 769 ± 106 319 ± 40 600 ± 99
4-CMC 1014 ± 78 559 ± 57 542 ± 38

Legality

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Clephedrone is an Anlage I controlled drug in Germany.

Sweden's public health agency suggested classifying 4-Chloromethcathinone (klefedron) as illegal narcotic on June 1, 2015.[5]

As of October 2015 4-CMC is a controlled substance in China.[6]

4-CMC is considered a Schedule 1 substance in Virginia.[7]

In December 2019, the UNODC announced scheduling recommendations placing 4-CMC into Schedule II.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Taschwer M, Weiß JA, Kunert O, Schmid MG (November 2014). "Analysis and characterization of the novel psychoactive drug 4-chloromethcathinone (clephedrone)". Forensic Science International. 244: e56–e59. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.09.007. PMID 25280452.
  2. ^ Klavž J, Gorenjak M, Marinšek M (August 2016). "Suicide attempt with a mix of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones: Case report of non-fatal intoxication with AB-CHMINACA, AB-FUBINACA, alpha-PHP, alpha-PVP and 4-CMC". Forensic Science International. 265: 121–124. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.01.018. PMID 26890319.
  3. ^ a b c d Chojnacki MR, Thorndike EB, Partilla JS, Rice KC, Schindler CW, Baumann MH (June 2023). "Neurochemical and Cardiovascular Effects of 4-Chloro Ring-Substituted Synthetic Cathinones in Rats". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 385 (3): 162–170. doi:10.1124/jpet.122.001478. PMC 10201577. PMID 36669877.
  4. ^ Wojcieszak J, Kuczyńska K, Zawilska JB (August 2020). "Four Synthetic Cathinones: 3-Chloromethcathinone, 4-Chloromethcathinone, 4-Fluoro-α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone, and 4-Methoxy-α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone Produce Changes in the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity and Motor Performance in Mice with Varied Profiles". Neurotoxicity Research. 38 (2): 536–551. doi:10.1007/s12640-020-00227-8. PMC 7334283. PMID 32506339.
  5. ^ "23 nya ämnen kan klassas som narkotika eller hälsofarlig vara" [23 new substances can be classified as narcotic drugs or substances dangerous to health]. Folkhälsomyndigheten [The Public Health Authority] (in Swedish). 1 June 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  6. ^ "关于印发《非药用类麻醉药品和精神药品列管办法》的通知" [Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Listing and Control of Non-Medicinal Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances] (in Chinese). China Food and Drug Administration. 27 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  7. ^ "18VAC110-20-322. Placement of Chemicals in Schedule I." Commonwealth of Virginia. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  8. ^ "World Health Organization recommends 12 NPS for scheduling". WHO. December 2019.