5-(2-Aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (5-APDB) is a designer drug of phenethylamine and amphetamine class. In this study, the in vitro metabolism of 5-APDB was investigated in rat and human liver microsomes and human hepatocytes to characterize its metabolites. 5-APDB was incubated with microsomes or hepatocytes, and the reaction mixture was analyzed using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Q/TOF-MS).
5-APDB was broken down into three metabolites (M1, M2 and M3). The structural characteristics of these metabolites were determined using precise mass analysis and MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Metabolite M1 and M2 were found to be hydroxylated metabolites in the benzofuran moiety, whereas M3 was a reduced metabolite that could be produced by dehydrating M1 or M2. These findings support in vivo 5-APDB metabolism and could be used for forensic purposes to detect 5-APDB and its metabolites in biological materials.

The benzofuran group of novel psychoactive drugs includes 5-APB and 5-APBD (NPS). Benzofurans, which are used as an entactogen and stimulant, are related to phenethylamines and have shown sympathetic activity, which can lead to neurologic and cardiovascular problems. The only medicines involved in this deadly poisoning were 5-APB and 5-APDB.
Urine was tested for amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, opiates, and cannabinoids using an immunoassay. The primary amphetamine compounds in blood were identified and quantified using GC-MS. After liquid-liquid extraction, general unknown screening (GUS) was done on blood and stomach contents using GC-MS and LC-DAD.
After assay validation for linearity, selectivity, limits of detection, precision, and accuracy at three concentration levels, 5-APB and 5-APDB were measured in blood using GC-MS/MS with MDA-d5 as the internal standard. HS-GC-FID was used to analyze blood for ethanol and other volatile chemicals.
5-(2-Aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (5-APDB, 3-Desoxy-MDA, EMA-4) is a phenethylamine and amphetamine suspected entactogen drug. The heterocyclic 3-position oxygen from the 3,4-methylenedioxy ring has been replaced by a methylene bridge in this counterpart of MDA.
The 4-position oxygen has been replaced by a methylene bridge in 6-APDB, which is a homologue of 5-APDB. Purdue University researchers lead by David E. Nichols produced 5-APDB as part of their research for non-neurotoxic analogues of MDMA.