Identification and Quantitative Analysis of 2-Fluoromethamphetamine and Its Metabolites in Human Urine.

This article focuses on the identification and metabolic profiling of 2-fluoromethamphetamine (2-FMA), a synthetic phenethylamine derivative, in human urine to support forensic verification of its illicit use. Researchers synthesized analytical standards for N-hydroxy 2-FMA (N-OH-2-FMA) and two diastereomers of 2-fluoroephedrine (2F-Eph), which were detected alongside unchanged 2-FMA and 2-fluoroamphetamine (2-FAP) in a urine sample from an alleged 2-FMA abuser. The study found that N-hydroxylation and aliphatic hydroxylation are characteristic metabolic pathways of 2-FMA, distinguishing its metabolism from methamphetamine, and proposed that N-OH-2-FMA and one diastereomer of 2F-Eph are reliable metabolite markers for confirming 2-FMA intake. The findings contribute novel metabolic data essential for forensic toxicology and may aid in distinguishing 2-FMA use from 2-FAP exposure, given the widespread availability of both substances.