Proactive forensic science: A novel class of cathinone precursors

•A novel class of cathinone derivatives has been synthesized and characterized.•The new compounds were obtained by modifying the carbonyl group of cathinone.•The new compounds are cathinone ketals and thioketals, oxime and hydrazone.•Cathinone can be readily regenerated from the new compounds by acid hydrolysis.•We recommend the inclusion of the new compounds in illicit drugs acts.

Nine new derivatives of cathinone, which are not covered by present illicit-drug laws in Israel and other countries have been synthesized and characterized. Unlike most of the modified cathinones on the illicit drug market, these compounds are obtained by modifying the carbonyl group of the parent compound. The new group contains cyclic ketals and thioketals, oximes and hydrazone, of cathinone and of cathinone phthalimide. Cathinone is readily regenerated from the new derivatives by acid hydrolysis. Consequently, they can be regarded as potential pro-drugs, and their inclusion in the illicit-drugs bylaws should be considered.