Heteroditopic chemosensor to detect γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages

Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) is a problem of considerable dimensions on a global scale. Among the different compounds used in DFSA assaults, 4-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is one of the most elusive due to its physical and biological characteristics. Therefore, the development of real-time de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analyst (London) 2021-09, Vol.146 (18), p.561-569
Main Authors: Rodríguez-Nuévalos, Silvia, Parra, Margarita, Gil, Salvador, Gaviña, Pablo, Arroyo, Pau, Sáez, José A, Costero, Ana M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcoholic beverages
Beverages
Chemical sensors
Chemoreceptors
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Sex crimes
Social security
Soft drinks
Titration
Urine
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Summary:Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) is a problem of considerable dimensions on a global scale. Among the different compounds used in DFSA assaults, 4-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is one of the most elusive due to its physical and biological characteristics. Therefore, the development of real-time detection methods to detect GHB not only in drinks but also in urine is very important for personal and social security. Here, we report two new heteroditopic chemosensors capable of recognizing and detecting GHB in soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and synthetic urine. The compounds have two moieties: a trifluoroacetyl group and a thiourea, which are able to interact respectively with the hydroxyl and the carboxylic groups present in the GHB structure. In addition, the distance between these two groups has been optimized to allow a double interaction which guarantees the recognition even in very competitive media such as beverages or urine samples. Visual detection of 4-hydroxybutiric acid in beverages can increase personal security against Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA).
ISSN:0003-2654
1364-5528
DOI:10.1039/d1an01084k