Multi-analytical identification of the synthetic opioids cychlorphine and methiodone (IC-26) in drug seizures: first detection in Europe
Abstract
Objectives The rapid emergence of highly potent synthetic opioids represents a growing challenge for forensic and clinical laboratories. Methods We report the first identification in Europe of methiodone (IC-26) and the first detection in France of cychlorphine in drug samples collected by a drug-checking service in Paris. Results Preliminary screening by liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (LC-DAD) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed unknown peaks due to the lack of corresponding spectra in available spectral librairies. High-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) provided accurate mass measurements consistent with the cychlorphine and Methiodone formulas. Structural confirmation was obtained by 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Targeted LC-MS/MS quantified 5 % cychlorphine and 2 % methiodone, with no other psychoactive compounds detected. Conclusions These results highlight the limitations of library-based screening and the value of multi-platform strategies integrating LC-HRMS, LC-MS/MS, and NMR for the early detection of emerging drugs.
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There was recently a first-report of cychlorphine in France.
“There was recently a first-report in France.7”
From Cychlorphine (N-Propionitrile Chlorphine): An Emerging Benzimidazolone Synthetic Opioid and Its Implications for Overdose Recognition and Management (2026) · cites this paper as [7]
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- Authors
- Dugues, P., Robin, T., Bellouard, M., Chenorhokian, S., Triguel, M., Pfau, G., Feng, C., Cherki, S., Herbette, G., Alvarez, J. C., & Larabi, I. A.
- Affiliations
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory , CHU Raymond Poincaré (AP-HP), MONITOR Platform (Carnot-APHP), UVSQ-Paris Saclay University, Inserm U1018, CESP Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Team MOODS , Garches , France
- Inserm (FR)
- Analyse Ton Prod-IDF , Paris , France
- National Identification System of Toxics Ad Substances (SINTES), French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies (OFDT) , Paris , France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Venue
- Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Published
- 2026-01-12
- Volume
- 64
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1413-1424
- ISSN
- 1434-6621 (ISSN-L)
- 1437-4331
- OpenAlex
- W7119511119
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6
- FWCI
- 26.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Analytical Chemistry › Analytical Methods in Pharmaceuticals
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Keywords
- synthetic opioids, drug seizures, high-resolution mass spectrometry, LC-MS/MS quantification
- MeSH terms
- Synthetic Drugs, Analgesics, Opioid, Chromatography, Liquid, Heroin, Europe, Humans, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Seizures, Illicit Drugs, Substance Abuse Detection, Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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