Cocaine

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a tropane-based alkaloid naturally found in the Erythroxylum coca plant. In research contexts, it is primarily used as a reference material in forensic science, toxicology, pharmacological modeling, and analytical method development. Despite its well-known illicit associations, Cocaine remains a compound of scientific interest due to its high affinity for dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters.

This substance is offered strictly for laboratory and analytical research and is not intended for human or veterinary use.

Chemical Information

  • IUPAC Name: Methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3-(benzoyloxy)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate

  • Molecular Formula: C17H21NO4

  • Molecular Weight: 303.35 g/mol

  • Form Available: Cocaine Hydrochloride (HCl), analytical grade

  • Purity: ≥98% (GC-MS/NMR verified)

  • Storage Conditions: Cool, dry, and secure environment

Applications in Scientific Research

Cocaine serves as a benchmark in several research domains:

  • Forensic toxicology: Reference compound for calibrating testing equipment (LC-MS, GC-MS)

  • Neurochemistry: Investigating transporter-mediated uptake and monoamine signaling

  • Pharmacology: Used in receptor affinity studies and CNS stimulant modeling

  • Toxicokinetics: Understanding metabolic pathways and elimination rates

  • Assay validation: Critical for quality control in drug screening programs

Because of its high specificity and well-documented profile, Cocaine is a standard in laboratories conducting comparative analysis of stimulant analogs.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Cocaine is classified as a controlled substance in nearly all countries:

  • United States: Schedule II (DEA) – available only to DEA-licensed institutions

  • United Kingdom: Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act

  • European Union: Controlled under various national frameworks

  • Canada & Australia: Schedule I equivalent

Possession, handling, and distribution are restricted to authorized laboratories with proper licensing, secure storage, and compliance with local and international laws.

Safe Handling Protocols

Due to its potency and legal classification, Cocaine must be handled with full adherence to lab safety protocols:

  • Use only in licensed laboratory environments

  • Personnel must be trained in controlled substance handling

  • Store securely in temperature-stable, access-controlled areas

  • Apply clear labeling: “For Research Use Only – Controlled Substance”

  • Maintain accurate inventory logs and usage documentation

Institutions must comply with local laws regarding transport, storage, and disposal.

Scientific Relevance of Cocaine

Cocaine plays an important role in the understanding of central nervous system stimulation, addiction mechanisms, and monoamine reuptake inhibition. Its pharmacological data has paved the way for:

  • Development of stimulant analogs

  • Clinical trials involving dopamine transporter modulation

  • Design of detection assays for law enforcement and public health

Because it offers a reliable, reproducible standard, Cocaine remains widely used in academic, clinical, and forensic research laboratories.

Summary

Cocaine is a rigorously studied research-grade chemical valued for its use in toxicology, pharmacology, and forensic applications. Available only to licensed institutions, it serves as a critical standard for developing and validating drug detection methods and studying the biochemical effects of CNS stimulants.

Researchers must observe strict compliance with legal regulations and laboratory protocols when acquiring or handling this compound.