N-Propyl butylone is classified as a novel stimulant and substituted cathinone. Substituted cathinones are modified based on the structure of cathinone, an alkaloid found in the Khat plant. Novel stimulants have been reported to cause psychoactive effects similar to amphetamines. Novel stimulants have also caused adverse events, including deaths, as described in the literature. Structurally similar drugs include butylone and eutylone (also known as N-ethyl butylone), among other beta-keto methylenedioxyamphetamine (or “-ylones”). Butylone is a Schedule I substance in the United States; N-propyl butylone is not explicitly scheduled. N-Propyl butylone was first reported in Europe (Czech Republic) in July 2013; however, there is no evidence that the drug had previously proliferated or emerged with regularity in the United States. N-Propyl butylone is a structural isomer of N,N-dimethylpentylone, N-ethyl pentylone and others, requiring increased specificity during analysis. In addition to the drug material reported herein, to date, N-propyl butylone has been identified in at least four toxicology samples alongside N,N-dimethylpentylone (requiring chromatographic resolution for quantitation).

Synonyms: Putylone, bk-PBDB, Propylbutylone, 3,4-Methylenedioxy-α-Propylaminobutiophenone