Thermal behaviour of fentanyl and its analogues during flash pyrolysis

Flash pyrolysis of fentanyl and its analogues has been studied on pyrolysis-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (Py-GC-MS) system. Initial pyrolytic fragmentation of these compounds led to the formation of N-substituted-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine and N-phenylpropanamide as the primary pyrolytic products. Moreover, depending up on the furnace temperature, these pyrolytic products can also undergo further fragmentation to give different compounds. We, herein, discuss the probable fragmentation routes of parent as well as pyrolytic products. This study will be useful while developing technologies for thermal aerosol generation of fentanyl and related compounds.