FRDD

Forensically-Relevant Drug Database

NPS Discover

Description

Preferred Drug Name

N-Propionitrile Chlorphine

Brief Description

N-Propionitrile chlorphine is a novel synthetic opioid bearing structural similarity to other benzimidazolones (e.g., brorphine, chlorphine, florphine). N-Propionitrile chlorphine was first identified by our laboratory in August 2024 and confirmed in September 2024 via standard reference material. N-Propionitrile chlorphine is not currently a scheduled drug in the United States.

Structure


Nomenclature

Formal Name (IUPAC)

3-[3-[1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-piperidyl]-2-oxo-benzimidazol-1-yl]propanenitrile

Synonyms

Cychlorophine, Cychlorphine, N-Propionitrile Chlorophine

Identifiers

CAS Numbers

16145-71-4

Chemistry

Chemical Formula

C23H25ClN4O

Molecular Mass

408.90

Molecular Ion

408

Exact Mass

409.179

SMILES

N#CCCN1C(N(C2CCN(C(C)C3=CC=C(C=C3)Cl)CC2)C4=C1C=CC=C4)=O.Cl

InChI String

InChI=1S/C23H25ClN4O.ClH/c1-17(18-7-9-19(24)10-8-18)26-15-11-20(12-16-26)28-22-6-3-2-5-21(22)27(23(28)29)14-4-13-25;/h2-3,5-10,17,20H,4,11-12,14-16H2,1H3;1H

InChI Key

SWWAVNFEFVMDAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N

GCMS Analytics

Lab

CFSRE (Willow Grove, PA)

Comments

Sample Preparation:

Drug Materials: Dilution in methanol or acid / base extraction

Drug Standards: Dilution in methanol

Instrument:Agilent 5975 Series GC/MSD System
Column:Agilent J&W DB-1 (12 m x 200 µm x 0.33 µm)
Carrier Gas: Helium (Flow: 1.46 mL/min)
Temperatures:

Injection Port: 265 °C

Transfer Line: 300 °C

MS Source: 230 °C

MS Quad: 150 °C

Oven Program: 50 °C for 0 min, 30 °C/min to 340 °C for 2.3 min

Injection Parameters:

Injection Type: Splitless

Injection Volume: 1 µL

MS Parameters:Mass Scan Range: 40-550 m/z

 

Images

Fragments

82
103
139

HRMS Analytics

Lab

CFSRE (Willow Grove, PA)

Comments

Sample Preparation: 

Toxicology Samples: Liquid-liquid extraction

Drug Materials: Dilution of sample in mobile phase

Instrument:

Sciex TripleTOF® 5600+, Shimadzu Nexera XR UHPLC

Sciex X500R, Sciex ExionLC

Column: Phenomenex® Kinetex C18 (50 mm x 3.0 mm, 2.6 µm)
Mobile Phase: 

A: Ammonium formate (10 mM, pH 3.0)

B: Methanol/acetonitrile (50:50)

Flow rate: 0.4 mL/min

Gradient: Initial: 95A:5B; 5A:95B over 13 min; 95A:5B at 15.5 min
Temperatures:

Autosampler: 15 °C

Column Oven: 30 °C

Source Heater: 600 °C

Injection Parameters: Injection Volume: 10 µL
QTOF Parameters: 

TOF MS Scan Range: 100-510 Da

Precursor Isolation: SWATH® acquisition (27 windows)

Fragmentation: Collison Energy Spread (35±15 eV)

MS/MS Scan Range: 50-510 Da

 

Images

Fragments

139.0302
271.155
409.1782
84.0806
103.0536

Drug Origins and Uses

Drug Origins and Uses

Illicit, Synthetic

Biological Effects

Biological Effects

Analgesic, Depressant

Target Receptor or Neurotransmitter

Target Receptor or Neurotransmitter

MOR

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics

Agonist

Toxicology Data Clinical Nonfatal

Source

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)

Title

Multi-analytical identification of the synthetic opioids cychlorphine and methiodone (IC-26) in drug seizures: first detection in Europe

Reference Link


Drug Control

US Controlled Substance Schedule

Not Controlled


Pharmacology Literature

Source

Neuropharmacology

Title

Elucidating the harm potential of brorphine analogues as new synthetic opioids: Synthesis, in vitro, and in vivo characterization

Reference Link


Published February 09, 2026