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

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.