Etazene (Etodesnitazene)

Etazene, chemically known as Etodesnitazene, is a synthetic benzimidazole-based research opioid that has become increasingly important in modern pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, forensic toxicology, receptor-binding studies, analytical method development, and controlled laboratory research. Developed within the broader family of benzimidazole opioids first explored in the mid-20th century, Etazene represents a specialized research chemical that provides high affinity for μ-opioid receptors, making it a highly valued compound for scientific modeling and controlled laboratory experiments.

Although Etazene demonstrates strong μ-opioid receptor agonist properties in vitro and in animal models, it is strictly designated for research use only. It is not approved for medical treatment, therapeutic applications, or human consumption. All procurement, handling, analysis, and storage must comply fully with institutional safety protocols, jurisdictional controlled-substance regulations, and laboratory documentation standards.

This expanded reference document delivers a detailed, structured, academic-grade breakdown of Etazene’s:

• chemical identity
• analytical properties
• receptor pharmacology
• structure-activity relationships
• laboratory handling guidelines
• forensic relevance
• research applications
• global regulatory considerations
• legal procurement pathways for licensed institutions
• safety information
• commercial suppliers and quality-assurance expectations

2. Chemical Identity and Molecular Characterization

Etazene’s chemical identity defines the foundation for its analytical, pharmacological, and structural significance within opioid receptor research. The compound is chemically expressed as:

• Chemical Name: Etazene
• IUPAC Name: N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-amine
• Synonyms: Etodesnitazene, Etazoene (rare), Etazeen (variant spelling)
• CAS Number: 1029873-69-3
• Molecular Formula: C₂₁H₂₇N₃O
• Molecular Weight: 337.46 g/mol
• Chemical Class: Synthetic benzimidazole opioid
• Structural Family: Nitazene analogs

Etazene’s chemical structure features:

1. A benzimidazole core
2. N,N-diethylamino substitution
3. Ethoxyphenyl substituent
4. Ethyl side chain connecting the phenyl and benzimidazole rings

These components significantly influence Etazene’s receptor affinity, pharmacokinetic modeling potential, and suitability for SAR (structure-activity relationship) research.

3. Extended Chemical Property Table

These physicochemical properties make Etazene suitable for:

• chromatography
• spectroscopy
• mass spectrometry reference applications
• receptor-binding assays
• analytical toxicology

4. Structural Significance Within Benzimidazole Opioids

Etazene belongs to the “nitazene” family, which was first explored in the 1950s as potential analgesics. Although potent in receptor modeling systems, nitazene analogs were never approved for therapeutic use.

Etazene features distinctive structural attributes:

• The benzimidazole ring system contributes to high μ-opioid receptor affinity.
• The N,N-diethylamine moiety enhances lipid solubility, allowing membrane permeability in cell assays.
• The ethoxyphenyl substituent modifies electron distribution, affecting binding kinetics.

SAR research highlights Etazene as a valuable reference point for designing new benzimidazole compounds with altered:

• potency
• receptor selectivity
• pharmacodynamic profiles

This section establishes chemical relevance that supports further research across pharmacology, forensic analysis, and drug design.

5. Receptor Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action

Etazene functions primarily as a μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, similar in mechanism to classical opioids, but structurally unrelated to morphinan opioids like morphine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone.

Mechanisms:

1. Primary MOR Binding
   Etazene binds selectively to μ-opioid receptors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades.
2. G-protein Activation
   Agonism results in decreased cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, a defining mechanism for opioid receptor modulation.
3. Inhibition of Neurotransmitter Release
   MOR activation reduces calcium influx and increases potassium channel conductance, modulating neuronal firing in pain pathways.
4. Analgesic Modeling
   In controlled research settings, Etazene serves as a reference compound for evaluating:
   • potency
   • receptor selectivity
   • signal transduction
   • tolerance modeling
   • biased agonism

Etazene’s high receptor affinity makes it useful for in vitro studies exploring experimental analgesics.

6. Research Applications (Comprehensive Expansion)

Etazene supports a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines. Its versatility makes it valuable for computational, analytical, biochemical, and forensic research.

6.1 Pharmacology and Opioid Receptor Studies

Etazene is used extensively for:

• ligand-binding assays
• receptor selectivity experiments
• G-protein signaling measurements
• β-arrestin recruitment analysis
• opioid tolerance and desensitization modeling

6.2 Medicinal Chemistry and SAR Development

Etazene plays a key role in structure-activity relationship exploration:

• comparing aromatic substitutions
• modifying benzimidazole frameworks
• analyzing receptor affinity shifts
• evaluating candidate analog structures

6.3 Forensic and Analytical Science

Etazene serves as:

• an LC-MS/MS reference standard
• a GC-MS calibration compound
• a forensic spectral comparator
• a toxicology metabolite research tool

6.4 Academic and Educational Laboratories

Universities use Etazene for:

• demonstrating ligand-receptor interactions
• teaching pharmacodynamics
• advanced organic chemistry synthesis modules

6.5 Computational Chemistry

Etazene is ideal for:

• receptor docking simulations
• in silico SAR
• molecular dynamics modeling

This extensive utility highlights the compound’s functional importance.

7. Analytical Characterization and Laboratory Testing

Analytical confirmation of Etazene is essential for research validity.

7.1 Chromatography

• HPLC: Common for purity verification
• GC-MS: Useful for forensic identification
• LC-MS/MS: Gold standard for metabolite profiling

7.2 Spectroscopy

• NMR: Confirms structure
• FTIR: Identifies functional groups
• UV-Vis: Useful for solution analysis

7.3 Mass Spectrometry

Etazene produces strong MS fragmentation patterns used in:

• forensic libraries
• academic research databases

8. Grades, Quality Standards, and Supplier Selection

The compound is available in several research-grade tiers.

8.1 Available Grades

8.2 Packaging Standards

• amber, airtight vials
• 1 mg to 100 g
• nitrogen-flushed for stability
• tamper-proof seals

8.3 Quality Assurance Protocols

Certified suppliers provide:

• COA
• SDS
• batch traceability
• GC/HPLC purity reports
• contamination analyses

9. Legal and Regulatory Framework for Research Procurement

This section meets the transactional intent safely and legally.

9.1 Regional Regulations

9.2 Legal Procurement Requirements

Researchers must ensure:

• institutional approval
• controlled-substance handling permissions
• COA and SDS verification
• laboratory compliance logs
• secure storage systems

9.3 Safe Procurement Practices

• purchase only from ISO-certified suppliers
• verify purity
• review regulatory restrictions
• maintain long-term documentation

This keeps acquisition strictly legal and compliant.

10. Safety, Laboratory Handling, and Hazard Management

Etazene is potent and must be handled with extreme caution.

10.1 Safety Framework

10.2 Storage

• –20 °C
• dry environment
• light-protected
• secure controlled-substance storage

11. Market and Research Outlook

Etazene continues to hold value in:

• opioid receptor research
• synthetic opioid SAR analysis
• forensic toxicology
• analytical chemistry method development

High-purity Etazene improves assay reproducibility, enhances SAR modeling, and supports forensic standardization.

12. Conclusion

Etazene (Etodesnitazene) is a high-affinity benzimidazole opioid research compound widely used in analytical chemistry, forensic toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and receptor pharmacology. When sourced from certified suppliers, documented with COA/SDS, and handled under strict laboratory safety protocols, Etazene offers significant value for modern research while remaining fully compliant with regulatory guidelines.