RESUMEN
One major objective of the European project "Collaborative Harmonisation of Methods for Profiling of Amphetamine Type Stimulants" (CHAMP), funded by the sixth framework programme of the European Commission, consisted of the harmonisation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the analysis of organic impurities found in illicit methamphetamine (MA) samples in a drug intelligence perspective. Statistical analysis provided a selection of pertinent variables among the 43 organic impurities identified in the chromatograms. As for the 3,4-MethyleneDioxyMethAmphetamine (MDMA) study, correlation coefficients were used as a discrimination tool between populations of linked samples (from the same seizure) and unlinked samples (from different seizures). It was also shown that correlation measurements based on Pearson and cosine functions applied to the data pre-treated by normalisation to the sum of peak responses followed by the square root provided excellent discrimination between the two populations. The organic impurities profiling method was proved to be relevant for the characterization of samples from different seizures and their synthesis route patterns.
RESUMEN
The abuse of the designer amphetamines such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is increasing throughout the world. They have become popular drugs at all night techno dance parties, and their detection is an important issue. The objective of the presented study was to identify an unknown compound detected by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in the urine of an illicit drug abuser. The compound was isolated by TLC and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in electron ionization (EI) and positive ion chemical ionization (PICI) mode to elucidate its chemical structure. Based on EI-MS and PICI-MS mass spectral data, the unknown compound was indicated to be a structure similar to MDMA, substituted by a single chlorine atom-a chlorinated MDMA (Cl-MDMA). To confirm the Cl-MDMA structure, the unknown compound was silylated, trifluoroacetylated, acetylated, heptafluorobutyrylated, and analyzed by GC-MS. The position of the chlorine atom cannot be assigned exactly from the mass spectral data presented here; however, we believe that the unknown compound could be 6-Cl-MDMA.
Asunto(s)
Cloro/química , Drogas de Diseño/química , Alucinógenos/química , N-Metil-3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina/química , Detección de Abuso de Sustancias , Adulto , Cromatografía en Capa Delgada , Cromatografía de Gases y Espectrometría de Masas , Alucinógenos/orina , Humanos , Masculino , Estructura Molecular , N-Metil-3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina/orina , Espectrometría de Masa por Ionización de ElectrosprayRESUMEN
The enantiomers of the related substances methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and methcathinone were determined by both gas chromatography after derivatization and by nuclear magnetic resonance using a chiral solvating agent. For GC the substances were derivatized with (R)-(+)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid (MTPA) to give diasteromeric derivatives. Resolution (baseline) of at least 1.6 was obtained between all derivatives. NMR determination of the enantiomers was conducted in a chiral environment by the addition of the chiral solvating agent, (R)-(+)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol, to NMR solutions of the substances. Racemization of methcathinone was demonstrated to be facile by exposure to alkaline solutions for varying periods of time. Enantiomeric ratios of some products derived from the oxidation of ephedrine were determined.
