Structural identification of a new acetildenafil analogue from pre-mixed bulk powder intended as a dietary supplement

Abstract

An analogue of acetildenafil was detected in an extract of pre-mixed bulk powder. To our knowledge, the powder was destined to be encapsulated and sold as a dietary supplement. The structure was identified by NMR, HR-ESI–MS, ESI–MS ⁿ and FTIR analyses. Owing to the inclusion of a hydroxyl group in acetildenafil, the detected compound was called ‘hydroxyacetildenafil’. With increasing use of dietary supplements marketed for penile erectile dysfunction, the detection of analogues of sexual performance enhancers is important and timely.

Keywords:

• NMR
• electrospray ionization (ESI)
• hydroxyacetildenafil
• adulteration
• erectile dysfunction

Acknowledgement

The financial support from the National University of Singapore Academic Research Fund (KHL) and research scholarships (HP, ZP) are acknowledged.