Protonitazene

Chemical compound

BR: Class F1 (Prohibited narcotics)
DE: Anlage II (Authorized trade only, not prescriptible)
UK: Under Psychoactive Substances Act
US: Schedule I

Identifiers

IUPAC name

N,N-diethyl-2-[5-nitro-2-[(4-propoxyphenyl)methyl]benzimidazol-1-yl]ethanamine

CAS Number

95958-84-2

PubChem CID

156589001

UNII

4A6RZQ7M2V

KEGG

C22683

CompTox Dashboard (EPA)

DTXSID301342658

Chemical and physical dataFormulaC₂₃H₃₀N₄O₃Molar mass410.518 g·mol⁻¹3D model (JSmol)

Interactive image

SMILES

CCCOC1=CC=C(C=C1)CC2=NC3=C(N2CCN(CC)CC)C=CC(=C3)[N+](=O)[O-]

InChI

InChI=1S/C23H30N4O3/c1-4-15-30-20-10-7-18(8-11-20)16-23-24-21-17-19(27(28)29)9-12-22(21)26(23)14-13-25(5-2)6-3/h7-12,17H,4-6,13-16H2,1-3H3
Key:SJHUJFHOXYDSJY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Protonitazene is a benzimidazole derivative with potent opioid effects which has been sold over the internet as a designer drug since 2019, and has been identified in various European countries, as well as Canada, the US and Australia.^[1] It has been linked to numerous cases of drug overdose, and is a Schedule I drug in the US.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

It was developed by a Swiss pharmaceutical company in the 1950s as an alternative to morphine, but was never adopted due to severe side effects.^[7]

References

^ Edinoff AN, Martinez Garza D, Vining SP, Vasterling ME, Jackson ED, Murnane KS, Kaye AM, Fair RN, Torres YJ, Badr AE, Cornett EM, Kaye AD (April 2023). "New Synthetic Opioids: Clinical Considerations and Dangers". Pain and Therapy. 12 (2): 399–421. doi:10.1007/s40122-023-00481-6. PMC 9950705. PMID 36826742.
^ Schumann JL, Syrjanen R, Alford K, Mashetty S, Castle JW, Rotella J, et al. (August 2022). "Intoxications in an Australian Emergency Department Involving 'Nitazene' Benzylbenzimidazole Synthetic Opioids (Etodesnitazene, Butonitazene and Protonitazene)". Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 47 (1): e6–e9. doi:10.1093/jat/bkac062. PMID 35983900.
^ Kanamori T, Okada Y, Segawa H, Yamamuro T, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Iwata YT (November 2022). "Analysis of highly potent synthetic opioid nitazene analogs and their positional isomers". Drug Testing and Analysis. 15 (4): 449–457. doi:10.1002/dta.3415. PMID 36437623. S2CID 254042990.
^ Papsun DM, Krotulski AJ, Logan BK (December 2022). "Proliferation of Novel Synthetic Opioids in Postmortem Investigations After Core-Structure Scheduling for Fentanyl-Related Substances". The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 43 (4): 315–327. doi:10.1097/PAF.0000000000000787. PMID 36103391. S2CID 252220135.
^ Walton SE, Krotulski AJ, Logan BK (March 2022). "A Forward-Thinking Approach to Addressing the New Synthetic Opioid 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Nitazene Analogs by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-QQQ-MS)". Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 46 (3): 221–231. doi:10.1093/jat/bkab117. PMC 8935987. PMID 34792157.
^ "21 CFR Part 1308. [Docket No. DEA–900] Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Butonitazene, Etodesnitazene, Flunitazene, Metodesnitazene, Metonitazene, N-Pyrrolidino etonitazene, and Protonitazene in Schedule I." (PDF). Federal Register. 87 (70). Drug Enforcement Administration: 21556. 12 April 2022.
^ Faugstad, Sebastian (23 November 2022). "20-åring døde etter inntak av nytt, livsfarlig rusmiddel" [20-year-old died after consuming a new, life-threatening drug]. NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 26 July 2023. Protonitazen er et syntetisk opioid som ble utviklet av et sveitsisk legemiddelselskap på 50-tallet. Det var ment som et alternativ til morfin, men på grunn av alvorlige bivirkninger ble stoffet aldri tatt i bruk. [Protonitazen is a synthetic opioid that was developed by a Swiss pharmaceutical company in the 50s. It was intended as an alternative to morphine, but due to severe side effects, the drug was never used.]

Opioid receptor modulators

μ-opioid
(MOR)

Agonists (abridged; full list)	3-HO-PCP 7-Acetoxymitragynine 7-Hydroxymitragynine ψ-Akuammigine α-Chlornaltrexamine α-Narcotine Acetyldihydrocodeine Acetylfentanyl Acrylfentanyl Adrenorphin (metorphamide) AH-7921 Akuammicine Akuammidine Alfentanil Anileridine Apparicine β-Endorphin BAM-12P BAM-18P BAM-22P Benzhydrocodone Benzylmorphine Bezitramide Biphalin BU08070 Buprenorphine Butorphan Butorphanol Butyrfentanyl BW373U86 Carfentanil Casokefamide Cebranopadol Chloroxymorphamine Codeine DADLE DAMGO (DAGO) Dermorphin Desmetramadol (desmethyltramadol) Desomorphine Dextromoramide Dextropropoxyphene (propoxyphene) Dezocine Dimenoxadol Dimethylaminopivalophenone Eluxadoline Diamorphine (heroin) Dihydrocodeine Dihydroetorphine Dihydromorphine Dinalbuphine sebacate Diphenoxylate Dipipanone Dynorphin A Embutramide Endomorphin-1 Endomorphin-2 Eseroline Ethylmorphine Etorphine Fentanyl Fluorophen Frakefamide Furanylfentanyl Hemorphin-4 Herkinorin Hodgkinsine Hydrocodone Hydromorphinol Hydromorphone IBNtxA Ketamine Ketobemidone Kratom Laudanosine Lefetamine Leu-enkephalin Levacetylmethadol Levomethorphan Levorphanol Lexanopadol Loperamide Loxicodegol LS-115509 Matrine Meptazinol Met-enkephalin (metenkefalin) Methadone Metkefamide Metopon Mitragynine Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl Morphiceptin Morphine Nalbuphine NalBzOH Nalmexone Naltalimide Neopine NFEPP Nicocodeine Nicodicodine Nicomorphine Norketamine Nufenoxole Octreotide Oliceridine Oxycodegol OM-3-MNZ Oripavine Oxycodone Oxymorphazone Oxymorphonazine Oxymorphone Oxymorphone phenylhydrazone OxyPNPH Papaver somniferum (opium) Pentazocine Pericine Pethidine (meperidine) Phenazocine Phencyclidine Piminodine Piritramide PL-017 Prodine Propiram PZM21 Racemethorphan Racemorphan Remifentanil Salsolinol SC-17599 Sinomenine Sufentanil Tapentadol Tetrahydropapaveroline TH-030418 Thebaine Thienorphine Tianeptine Tilidine Tramadol Trimebutine TRIMU 5 TRV734 Tubotaiwine U-47700 Valorphin Viminol Xorphanol
Antagonists	(3S,4S)-Picenadol 2-(S)-N,N-(R)-Viminol 3CS-nalmefene 4-Caffeoyl-1,5-quinide 4′-Hydroxyflavanone 4',7-Dihydroxyflavone 6β-Naltrexol 6β-Naltrexol-d4 18-MC α-Gliadin β-Chlornaltrexamine β-Funaltrexamine Akuammine Alvimopan AM-251 Apigenin AT-076 Axelopran Bevenopran Catechin Catechin gallate Clocinnamox CTAP CTOP Cyclofoxy Cyprodime Diacetylnalorphine Diprenorphine ECG EGC Epicatechin Eptazocine Gemazocine Ginsenoside R Hyperoside Ibogaine JDTic Levallorphan Lobeline LY-255582 LY-2196044 Methocinnamox Methylnaltrexone Methylsamidorphan chloride Naldemedine Nalmefene Nalodeine (N-allylnorcodeine) Nalorphine Nalorphine dinicotinate Naloxazone Naloxegol Naloxol Naloxonazine Naloxone Naltrexazone Naltrexonazine Naltrexone Naltrindole Naringenin Noribogaine Oxilorphan Pawhuskin A Rimonabant Quadazocine Samidorphan Taxifolin

Agonists
(abridged;
full list)

Antagonists

δ-opioid
(DOR)

Agonists	3CS-nalmefene 6'-GNTI 7-SIOM ADL-5747 (PF-04856881) ADL-5859 Alazocine (SKF-10047) Amoxapine AR-M100390 (ARM390) AZD2327 β-Endorphin BAM-18P Biphalin BU-48 Butorphan Butorphanol BW373U86 Casokefamide Cebranopadol Codeine Cyclazocine DADLE Deltorphin A Deltorphin I Deltorphin II Desmethylclozapine Desmetramadol (desmethyltramadol) Dezocine Diamorphine (heroin) Dihydroetorphine Dihydromorphine DPDPE DPI-221 DPI-3290 DSLET Ethylketazocine Etorphine Fentanyl FIT Fluorophen Hemorphin-4 Hydrocodone Hydromorphone Ibogaine Isomethadone JNJ-20788560 KNT-127 Kratom Laudanosine Leu-enkephalin Levomethorphan Levorphanol Lexanopadol Lofentanil Met-enkephalin (metenkefalin) Metazocine Metkefamide Mitragynine Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl Morphine N-Phenethyl-14-ethoxymetopon Norbuprenorphine NalBzOH Oripavine Oxycodone Oxymorphone Pethidine (meperidine) Proglumide Racemethorphan Racemorphan RWJ-394674 Samidorphan SB-235863 SNC-80 SNC-162 TAN-67 (SB-205,607) TH-030418 Thebaine Thiobromadol (C-8813) Tonazocine Tramadol TRV250 Xorphanol Zenazocine
Antagonists	4',7-Dihydroxyflavone 5'-NTII 6β-Naltrexol 6β-Naltrexol-d4 α-Santolol β-Chlornaltrexamine Apigenin AT-076 Axelopran Bevenopran BNTX Catechin Catechin gallate Clocinnamox Diacetylnalorphine Diprenorphine ECG EGC Eluxadoline Epicatechin ICI-154129 ICI-174864 LY-255582 LY-2196044 Methylnaltrexone Methylnaltrindole N-Benzylnaltrindole Nalmefene Nalorphine Naltrexone Naltriben Naltrindole Naloxone Naringenin Noribogaine Pawhuskin A Quadazocine SDM25N SoRI-9409 Taxifolin Thienorphine

Agonists

Antagonists

κ-opioid
(KOR)

Agonists	3CS-nalmefene 6'-GNTI 8-CAC 18-MC 14-Methoxymetopon β-Chlornaltrexamine β-Funaltrexamine Adrenorphin (metorphamide) Akuammicine Alazocine (SKF-10047) Allomatrine Apadoline Asimadoline BAM-12P BAM-18P BAM-22P Big dynorphin Bremazocine BRL-52537 Butorphan Butorphanol BW373U86 Cebranopadol Ciprefadol CR665 Cyclazocine Cyclorphan Cyprenorphine Desmetramadol (desmethyltramadol) Diamorphine (heroin) Diacetylnalorphine Difelikefalin Dihydroetorphine Dihydromorphine Dinalbuphine sebacate Diprenorphine Dynorphin A Dynorphin B (rimorphin) Eluxadoline Enadoline Eptazocine Erinacine E Ethylketazocine Etorphine Fedotozine Fentanyl Gemazocine GR-89696 GR-103545 Hemorphin-4 Herkinorin HS665 Hydromorphone HZ-2 Ibogaine ICI-199,441 ICI-204,448 Ketamine Ketazocine Laudanosine Leumorphin (dynorphin B-29) Levallorphan Levomethorphan Levorphanol Lexanopadol Lofentanil LPK-26 Lufuradom Matrine MB-1C-OH Menthol Metazocine Metkefamide Mianserin Mirtazapine Morphine Moxazocine MR-2034 N-MPPP Nalbuphine NalBzOH Nalfurafine Nalmefene Nalodeine (N-allylnorcodeine) Nalorphine Naltriben Niravoline Norbuprenorphine Norbuprenorphine-3-glucuronide Noribogaine Norketamine Oripavine Oxilorphan Oxycodone Pentazocine Pethidine (meperidine) Phenazocine Proxorphan Racemethorphan Racemorphan RB-64 Salvinorin A (salvia) Salvinorin B ethoxymethyl ether Salvinorin B methoxymethyl ether Samidorphan Spiradoline (U-62,066) TH-030418 Thienorphine Tifluadom Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline) U-50488 U-54,494A U-69,593 Xorphanol
Antagonists	4′-Hydroxyflavanone 4',7-Dihydroxyflavone 5'-GNTI 6'-GNTI 6β-Naltrexol 6β-Naltrexol-d4 β-Chlornaltrexamine Buprenorphine/samidorphan Amentoflavone ANTI Apigenin Arodyne AT-076 Aticaprant Axelopran AZ-MTAB Binaltorphimine BU09059 Buprenorphine Catechin Catechin gallate CERC-501 (LY-2456302) Clocinnamox CVL-354 Cyclofoxy Dezocine DIPPA EGC ECG Epicatechin Hyperoside JDTic LY-255582 LY-2196044 LY-2444296 LY-2459989 LY-2795050 MeJDTic Methylnaltrexone ML190 ML350 MR-2266 N-Fluoropropyl-JDTic Naloxone Naltrexone Naltrindole Naringenin Navacaprant Norbinaltorphimine Noribogaine Pawhuskin A PF-4455242 RB-64 Quadazocine Taxifolin UPHIT Zyklophin

Agonists

3CS-nalmefene
6'-GNTI
8-CAC
18-MC
14-Methoxymetopon
β-Chlornaltrexamine
β-Funaltrexamine
Adrenorphin (metorphamide)
Akuammicine
Alazocine (SKF-10047)
Allomatrine
Apadoline
Asimadoline
BAM-12P
BAM-18P
BAM-22P
Big dynorphin
Bremazocine
BRL-52537
Butorphan
Butorphanol
BW373U86
Cebranopadol
Ciprefadol
CR665
Cyclazocine
Cyclorphan
Cyprenorphine
Desmetramadol (desmethyltramadol)
Diamorphine (heroin)
Diacetylnalorphine
Difelikefalin
Dihydroetorphine
Dihydromorphine
Dinalbuphine sebacate
Diprenorphine
Dynorphin A
Dynorphin B (rimorphin)
Eluxadoline
Enadoline
Eptazocine
Erinacine E
Ethylketazocine
Etorphine
Fedotozine
Fentanyl
Gemazocine
GR-89696
GR-103545
Hemorphin-4
Herkinorin
HS665
Hydromorphone
HZ-2
Ibogaine
ICI-199,441
ICI-204,448
Ketamine
Ketazocine
Laudanosine
Leumorphin (dynorphin B-29)
Levallorphan
Levomethorphan
Levorphanol
Lexanopadol
Lofentanil
LPK-26
Lufuradom
Matrine
MB-1C-OH
Menthol
Metazocine
Metkefamide
Mianserin
Mirtazapine
Morphine
Moxazocine
MR-2034
N-MPPP
Nalbuphine
NalBzOH
Nalfurafine
Nalmefene
Nalodeine (N-allylnorcodeine)
Nalorphine
Naltriben
Niravoline
Norbuprenorphine
Norbuprenorphine-3-glucuronide
Noribogaine
Norketamine
Oripavine
Oxilorphan
Oxycodone
Pentazocine
Pethidine (meperidine)
Phenazocine
Proxorphan
Racemethorphan
Racemorphan
RB-64
Salvinorin A (salvia)
Salvinorin B ethoxymethyl ether
Salvinorin B methoxymethyl ether
Samidorphan
Spiradoline (U-62,066)
TH-030418
Thienorphine
Tifluadom
Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline)
U-50488
U-54,494A
U-69,593
Xorphanol

Antagonists

Nociceptin
(NOP)

Agonists	(Arg14,Lys15)Nociceptin ((pF)Phe⁴)Nociceptin(1-13)NH₂ (Phe¹Ψ(CH₂-NH)Gly²)Nociceptin(1-13)NH₂ Ac-RYYRWK-NH₂ Ac-RYYRIK-NH₂ BU08070 Buprenorphine Cebranopadol Dihydroetorphine Etorphine JNJ-19385899 Levomethorphan Levorphanol Lexanopadol MCOPPB MT-7716 NNC 63-0532 Nociceptin (orphanin FQ) Nociceptin (1-11) Nociceptin (1-13)NH₂ Norbuprenorphine Racemethorphan Racemorphan Ro64-6198 Ro65-6570 SCH-221510 SCH-486757 SR-8993 SR-16435 Sunobinop (S-117957) TH-030418
Antagonists	(Nphe¹)Nociceptin(1-13)NH₂ AT-076 BAN-ORL-24 BTRX-246040 (LY-2940094) J-113,397 JTC-801 NalBzOH Nociceptin (1-7) Nocistatin SB-612,111 SR-16430 Thienorphine Trap-101 UFP-101

Agonists