A Comprehensive Review of Xylazine: Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, and Detection
Xylazine (N‑(2,6‑dimethylphenyl)‑5,6‑dihydro‑4H‑1,3‑thiazin‑2‑amine; C₁₂H₁₆N₂S; MW 220.33 g mol⁻¹) is a veterinary α₂‑adrenergic agonist widely used for sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. First synthesized in 1962 (Behner et al., 1964), it now also appears as an adulterant in illicit opioids, posing public-health challenges. This review integrates insights from chemical patents, peer-reviewed studies, and public spectral databases to present: (1) classical and mechanochemical synthesis routes; (2) solid‑state polymorphism and ³⁵Cl SSNMR/DFT analyses; (3) detailed NMR, IR, Raman, and UV–Vis spectral assignments; (4) chromatographic and mass‑spectrometric detection methods; and (5) emerging field‑deployable immunoassay and electrochemical sensors. A unified framework supports regulatory compliance, forensic identification, and quality‑control laboratories.
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