Development of Nitazenes
"In the late 1950s, the synthesis of 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids led to the creation of several compounds now known collectively as nitazenes - although they do not technically meet the current United States Adopted Name (USAN) definition of an “azene.” They were of particular interest because their chemical structures are distinct from the typical morphine-like phenanthrene motif and meperidine analogs like fentanyl.