Matrix effect and cross-reactivity of select amphetamine-type substances, designer analogues, and putrefactive amines using the Bio-Quant direct ELISA presumptive assays for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Bio-Quant Direct ELISA assays for amphetamine and methamphetamine in the routine presumptive screening of biological fluids. Standard concentration curves of the target analytes were assayed to assess sensitivity, and known concentrations of common amphetamine-type substances (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phentermine), designer analogues (MDA, MDMA, MDEA, MBDB, PMA, 4-MTA, 2CB), and putrefactive amines (phenylethylamine, putrescine, tryptamine, tyramine) were analyzed to determine cross-reactivity. Results of the standard curve studies show the capacity of both Direct ELISA kits to confidently detect down to 3 ng/mL interday (PBS matrix; CVs 6.3-15.5%). Cross-reactivity relative to that of 50 ng/mL preparations of the target compounds demonstrated that the Direct ELISA kit for amphetamine also detected MDA (282%), PMA (265%), 4-MTA (280%), and phentermine (61%), and the Direct ELISA for methamphetamine also assayed positive for MDMA (73%), MDEA (18%), pseudoephedrine (19%), MBDB (8%), and ephedrine (9%). Matrix studies demonstrated that both ELISA kits could be applied to screening of blood, urine, and saliva to a concentration of 6 ng/mL or lower. In conclusion, the Bio-Quant Direct ELISA kits for amphetamine and methamphetamine are fast and accurate and have demonstrated themselves to be useful tools in routine toxicological testing.

A demonstration of the use of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry [UPLC/MS] in the determination of amphetamine-type substances and ketamine for forensic and toxicological analysis.

We have recently seen the emergence of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry as an alternative to traditional high-performance liquid chromatography techniques. The strengths of UPLC technology promote the ability to separate and identify drug compounds with significant gains in resolution and sensitivity and marked reductions in the overall time of analysis. As increased throughput is the desire of the practical toxicology laboratory, the aim of this study was to trial commercially available technology by assessment of the separation of several commonly encountered amphetamine-type substances. From injection of a poly-drug reference standard and whole blood extract, we successfully separated and identified amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phentermine, MDA, MDMA, MDEA and ketamine in less than 3 min using the Acquity UPLC-Micromass Quattro Micro API MS instrumentation (Waters Corporation, USA). In addition to this significant reduction in overall run time, all peaks exhibited acceptable resolution using selected ion recording (SIR), with analysis indicating the capability to separate 5-11 peaks in 1.75 min using the current system parameters. From this introductory data, it is therefore indicated that the technological advancements defining ultra-performance liquid chromatography will allow it to serve as a powerful analytical tool for rapid throughput analysis.

Product ion mass spectra of amphetamine-type substances, designer analogues, and ketamine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

This paper describes the application of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) technology to separate and identify amphetamine-type substances (amphetamine, methamphetamine), common and novel designer analogues (MDA, MDMA, PMA, 4-MTA, MBDB), and ketamine using Acquity UPLC/Micromass Quattro Micro API mass spectrometer instrumentation (Waters Corporation, USA). From injection of drug reference standards, it was demonstrated that these compounds can be identified by product ion mass spectra in less than 4 min total analysis time, indicating that the technological advancements associated with UPLC/MS/MS allow it to serve as a powerful analytical tool for high-throughput testing. In addition to demonstrating the separation and response of these drug compounds under the stated UPLC/MS/MS conditions, we believe the acquired product ion spectra will be a beneficial reference to laboratories interested in incorporating the use of this technology in the routine analysis of drugs of abuse.

Undecacarbonyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)-tetrahedro-triiridiummolybdenum, undecacarbonyl(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)-tetrahedro-triiridiummolybdenum and undecacarbonyl(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-tetrahedro-triiridiummolybdenum.

The three title compounds tri-mu-carbonyl-1:2kappa2C;1:3kappa2C;2:3kappa2C-octacarbonyl-1kappaC,2kappa2C,3kappa2C,4kappa3C-eta5-methylcyclopentadienyl-tetrahedro-triiridiummolybdenum(3 Ir-Ir)(3 Ir-Mo), tri-mu-carbonyl-1:2kappa2C;1:3kappa2C;2:3kappa2C-octacarbonyl-1kappaC,2kappa2C,3kappa2C,4kappa3C-eta5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-tetrahedro-triiridiummolybdenum(3 Ir-Ir)(3 Ir-Mo) and tri-mu-carbonyl-1:2kappa2C;1:3kappa2C;2:3kappa2C-octacarbonyl-1kappaC,2kappa2C,3kappa2C,4kappa3C-eta5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-tetrahedro-triiridiummolybdenum(3 Ir-Ir)(3 Ir-Mo), [MoIr(3)(eta5-C(5)H(5-n)Me(n))(mu-CO)(3)(CO)(8)], where n = 1, 4 or 5, have a pseudotetrahedral MoIr(3) core geometry, with a eta5-C(5)H(5-n)Me(n) group ligating the Mo atom, bridging carbonyls spanning the edges of an MoIr(2) face, and eight terminally bound carbonyls.