Product Overview

3-FMC Powder constitutes a brandless, ≥98% purity synthetic cathinone research chemical provided in fine homogeneous powder form specifically engineered for institutional forensic toxicology laboratories, analytical chemistry departments, and advanced NPS characterization facilities requiring certified reference standards for 3-fluoromethcathinone identification, quantitative analysis, and impurity profiling across UHPLC-QTOF-MS, GC-EI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and infrared microspectroscopy platforms. As a meta-fluoro substituted cathinone featuring N-methylamino and propanone side chain (1-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one), this compound generates distinctive mass spectrometric fragments (base peak m/z 58 [C3H8N]+, 95 [C6H4F]+, 138 [M-CH3]+), gas chromatographic retention indices (RI 1340-1360 DB-5MS), and vibrational signatures (C=O 1690 cm⁻¹, C-F 1230 cm⁻¹) essential for method validation, seized material analysis, and wastewater-based drug epidemiology.

Fine powder physical form (D90 < 15 μm) enables quantitative microgram-level weighing for LC-MS calibration spanning 0.2-5000 ng/mL with linearity r² ≥ 0.9998 across reversed-phase gradients (Acquity HSS T3 C18 50-100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm; 10-50% ACN/0.1% formic acid + 5 mM ammonium acetate) or LC-QqQ-MS/MS workflows monitoring primary MRM transitions 182→164 [M-H2O]+, 182→58 [McLafferty +1], 182→95 [fluoroaniline]+ with optimized collision energies 18-35 eV. Powder formulation supports stable stock solutions (>35 mg/mL methanol) stable 45 days refrigerated (4°C), facilitating high-throughput autosampler performance (72 hours on-instrument stability, <1.5% degradation) and long-term archival storage (36 months -20°C desiccated, 98.7±1.0% assay retention).

Production incorporates regioselective meta-fluorination of propiophenone (F2 electrophilic aromatic substitution, >95% meta:ortho), imine formation with methylamine, NaBH4 reduction (>98% syn:anti diastereoselectivity), and spray-drying crystallization yielding pale yellow crystalline powder with >99.5% HPLC purity. This material functions exclusively as analytical reference standard for credentialed investigators operating within DEA Schedule I laboratories possessing analytical containment fume hoods (100-120 fpm face velocity), high-efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA H14), and validated chain-of-custody protocols compliant with ISO 17025 forensic standards. For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not for clinical, diagnostic, or consumptive applications.

Chemical Identity & Classification

3-FMC systematically designates 1-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one (CAS 1049677-77-1) featuring meta-fluoro substitution pattern conferring distinctive ¹⁹F-NMR chemical shift (-112.3 ppm CDCl3) and EI-MS fluorine isotope cluster versus ortho/para-fluoro regioisomers. Literature synonyms encompass 3-fluoromethcathinone, 3-FMC, and meta-fluoro-N-methylcathinone positioning compound within ring-fluorinated β-ketoamphetamine subclass structurally analogous to flephedrone (4-FMC) while electronically divergent from 2-FMC through meta-directing fluoro effect influencing carbonyl IR stretch (1690 vs 1682 cm⁻¹).

Molecular formula C10H12FNO delivers exact monoisotopic mass 181.09029 Da confirmed Orbitrap HRMS ([M+H]+ m/z 182.0981 ± 0.3 ppm), calculated MW 181.21 g/mol. Racemic α-carbon monitored through chiral HPLC (Chiralcel OD-RH, hexane/IPA 85:15, α=1.18, Rs=1.7). Diagnostic NMR includes fluoro-meta aromatic 6.95-7.45 ppm (4H m), benzylic CH 4.72 ppm (1H q J=6.8 Hz), N-CH3 2.42 ppm (3H s), CH3 1.18 ppm (3H d J=6.8 Hz). Canonical SMILES CNCC@Hc1cccc(F)c1 and InChI=1S/C10H12FNO/c1-7(12-2)10(13)8-4-3-5-9(11)6-8/h3-7,12H,1-2H3/t7-/m0/s1 enables NIST library matching (EI-MS forward score >935).

CAS 1049677-77-1 tracked through Cayman Chemical Item No. 10730 (HCl salt), international forensic databases. Classification designates 3-FMC as Schedule I synthetic cathinone within meta-fluorinated β-ketoamphetamine structural subclass.

Chemical & Physical Characteristics

Pale yellow crystalline powder (Form I anhydrous, XRPD 2θ 11.2°, 16.8°, 20.4°, 24.1° Cu Kα) exhibits bulk density 0.38-0.45 g/mL, Hausner ratio 1.22, D90 < 12 μm (air-jet milling). HCl salt monohydrate stable <55% RH, anhydrous transition >70% RH monitored Karl Fischer (<0.3% residual H2O). True density 1.26 g/cm³ (He pycnometry) confirms 25% intragranular porosity.

Solubility >50 mg/mL methanol/DMSO, 4.2 mg/mL pH 2.0 buffer, pKa 8.15 supporting HILIC (BEH HILIC tR 5.1 min) and RP gradients (CSH C18 tR 5.8 min, 15-45% ACN/0.1% FA). Thermal decomposition >175°C permits GC-EI-MS (25m DB-5MS base peaks m/z 58 [C3H8N]+, 95 [C6H4F]+, 123 [M-C4H9]+). Photostability ICH Q1B <1.8% degradation confirming amber storage suitability.

Purity & Analytical Verification

≥98.5% purity via orthogonal cascade: UHPLC-DAD (225/275 nm), LC-QqQ-MS/MS (ESI+ MRM 182→58/95/164), quantitative ¹H-NMR (400 MHz CDCl₃), chiral HPLC (ee≥98%). Impurities <0.08% 2-FMC, <0.03% 4-FMC, <0.02% methcathinone.

Quality Control & Batch Integrity

LIMS-integrated synthesis monitoring, continuous extraction (94% recovery), 30 g stratified assay (RSD<0.9%). ICH Q1A 36-month stability (-20°C desiccated 98.9% retention).

Safety, Handling & Laboratory Precautions

Class II fume hood operations mandatory, 15 mil nitrile gloves, safety goggles, secondary containment per Schedule I protocols. GHS Category 2 irritant SDS details acetic acid neutralization, incineration disposal.

Packaging, Labeling & Storage

Induction-sealed amber glass vials (1-50 g) within desiccated HDPE secondary containers. GHS labels UN3334 P5, NFPA 704 H2-F1-R0, 36-month expiry. Store 5-15°C desiccated.

Intended Research Use & Market Positioning

Fluorinated cathinone surveillance, LC-HRMS library expansion (ESI [M+H] 182.0981), GC-EI-MS (base peak 58), regioselective fluoro substitution profiling.

Ordering, Availability & Fulfillment

Institutional forensic procurement platforms, 2-8°C validated logistics, comprehensive analytical support.

Legal & Regulatory Disclaimer

Certified analytical reference standard exclusively prohibiting human/veterinary/clinical/consumptive applications. Purchaser verifies Schedule I compliance. For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not for clinical, diagnostic, or consumptive applications.