Orphines are a class of rapidly evolving NSOs (novel synthetic opioids) sporting a piperidinylbenzimidazolone core. Orphines like cychlorphine have been implicated in multiple fatalities and continue to make international headlines. These opioids can be easily modified to circumvent regulation without losing potency at the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), potentiating their capacity for harm.

Listen as Danielle St. Germaine, a senior scientist at Cayman Chemical, addresses this emerging threat by providing an overview of the history, pharmacology, nomenclature, marketplace trends, and evolution of the piperidinylbenzimidazolone scaffold. Tips for structural elucidation utilizing EI-MS fragmentation will be provided as well as other valuable resources.

Presented as part of the 2026 ONIC Law Enforcement Drug Summit.

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