Identification of the designer benzodiazepine 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (flualprazolam) in an anesthesia robbery case

Purpose This publication reports analytical properties of the designer benzodiazepine 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4 H -[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (flualprazolam) seized in an anesthesia robbery case. Methods The target compound was identified by liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF-MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results We could obtain detailed analytical data of flualprazolam—a new designer benzodiazepine available on the designer drug market. Conclusions More designer benzodiazepines have been detected and seized on the illegal drug scene as new psychoactive substances during the last 5 years. In this study, we presented analytical data of flualprazolam to assist forensic laboratories that encounter these newly emerging compounds in casework. This is the first report on this compound in illegal products.