Fingerprint analysis of thermolytic decarboxylation of tryptophan to tryptamine catalyzed by natural oils.

A number of N,N-dialkylated tryptamines show psychoactive properties in man which resulted in a renewed interest in psychopharmacological research. Attempts to manufacture these derivatives are increasing within a clandestine environment, where literature procedures are adapted and information is exchanged on the Internet. One such example is based on the thermolytic decarboxylation of tryptophan to tryptamine as the precursor to psychoactive derivatives. This procedure was proposed to make use of household solvents such as turpentine substitute and white spirit to facilitate decarboxylation. Discussions on websites also suggested the catalytic use of natural oils in order to accelerate these reactions. In this research, the analytical characterization of this preparation procedure was carried out using gas chromatography-ion trap single and tandem stage mass spectrometry in electron and chemical ionization mode that led to the identification of previously unreported 1-mono and 1,1-disubstituted tetrahydro-beta-carboline (THBCs) by-products. The tryptamine product and several THBC by-products were determined quantitatively and a "fingerprint" analysis of the crude products allowed for the differentiation between the essential oil catalysts involved as indicated by the presence of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines and their imine intermediates.

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and dichloromethane: rearrangement of quaternary ammonium salt product during GC-EI and CI-MS-MS analysis.

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) 1 is a simple tryptamine derivative with powerful psychoactive properties. It is abundant in nature and easily accessible through a variety of synthetic routes. Most work-up procedures require the use of organic solvents and halogenated representatives are often employed. DMT was found to be reactive towards dichloromethane, either during work-up or long term storage therein, which led to the formation of the quaternary ammonium salt N-chloromethyl-DMT chloride 2. Analysis of this side-product by gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-MS), both in electron and chemical ionisation tandem MS modes, gave only degradation products. For example, 2 could not be detected but appeared to have rearranged to 3-(2-chloroethyl)indole 3 and 2-methyltetrahydro-beta-carboline 4, whereas HPLC analysis enabled the detection of 2. GC-MS is a standard tool for the fingerprinting of drug products. The identification of a particular synthetic route is based on the analysis of impurities, provided these side products can be established to be route-specific. The in situ detection of both 3 and 4 within a DMT sample may have led to erroneous conclusions with regards to the identification of the synthetic route.

Analytical characterisation of the routes by thermolytic decarboxylation from tryptophan to tryptamine using ketone catalysts, resulting in tetrahydro-beta-carboline formation.

N-Alkylated tryptamines have complex psychoactive properties. Routes for clandestine synthesis are described on Internet websites one of which involves the thermolytic decarboxylation of tryptophan to tryptamine as a precursor to psychoactive compounds. High boiling solvents and ketone catalysts have been employed to facilitate the decarboxylation of tryptophan. The present study has revealed that there is formation of tetrahydro-beta-carboline (THBC) derivatives which may originate from reaction with both the solvent and the ketone catalyst. The application of gas chromatography electron- and chemical-ionisation ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS-MS), in combination with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), led to the isolation and identification of 1,1-disubstituted-tetrahydro-beta-carbolines formed as major impurities in the tryptamine. Confirmation was by synthesis of the THBC derivatives from tryptamine using Pictet-Spengler cyclisation. Under EI-conditions, mass spectral characterisation of the THBCs suggests predominance of alkyl cleavage. These impurities will yield a useful profile for identification of the synthetic pathway and likely reagents employed, particularly a "fingerprint" of the ketone catalyst and an insight into the influence of solvents and catalysts on the formation of by-products.

Arylethylamine psychotropic recreational drugs: a chemical perspective.

The arylethylamines substituted in the aryl ring, side-chain carbons and on the terminal amine, comprise a large number of human mood and behaviour altering chemicals. Some of these psychotropic drugs have been used since pre-history, but in many states are proscribed and are consequently subject to clandestine synthesis and illegal traffic world-wide in the forms particularly of amphetamines and to a lesser extent tryptamines. The chemistry employed in the synthesis of these compounds is dictated often by the available precursors and relies usually on relatively simple, unsophisticated conversion reactions to a suitable product. The internet web sites and documentation of the recreational drug culture have been studied alongside the professional scientific and regulatory literature. The review demonstrates the great complexity of the chemistry and neuro-pharmacology of these chemicals and the challenge faced by legislative bodies to control their traffic and use for the sake of social welfare.

An analytical perspective on favoured synthetic routes to the psychoactive tryptamines.

Many tryptamine derivatives are known to induce altered states of consciousness and are increasingly of interest in forensic and neurobiological studies. The analytical chemistry of certain synthetic routes to the tryptamines is discussed and likely side products and impurities identified, where literature reports are available. Recent examples from the authors' laboratory are presented to highlight future prospects and implications for analytical procedures. The aim of this review is to provide the analytical chemist with the foundation chemistry and some analytical targets to be able to undertake direct characterisation of products and intermediates. These might become available from interdiction of clandestine operations in a forensic environment or during the synthesis of the tryptamines for investigative neurobiological and clinical procedures.

Characterisation of a proposed internet synthesis of N,N-dimethyltryptamine using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry.

The psychoactive properties of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are known to induce altered states of consciousness in humans. These properties attract great interest from clinical, neuroscientific, clandestine and forensic communities. The Breath of Hope Synthesis was reported on an internet website as a convenient two-step methodology for the preparation of DMT. The analytical characterisation of the first stage was the subject of previous publications by the authors and involved the thermal decarboxylation of tryptophan and the formation of tryptamine. The present study reports on the characterisation of the second step of this procedure which was based on the methylation of tryptamine. This employed methyl iodide and benzyltriethylammonium chloride/sodium hydroxide as a phase transfer catalyst. The reaction product was characterised by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry and orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Quantitative evaluation was carried out in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM), which included synthesis of the identified reaction products. MRM screening of the product did not lead to the detection of DMT. Instead, 11.1% tryptamine starting material, 21.0% N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium iodide (TMT) and 47.4% 1-N-methyl-TMT were detected. A 0.5% trace of the monomethylated N-methyltryptamine was also detected. This study demonstrated the impact on product purity of doubtful synthetic methodologies discussed on the internet.

Halogenated solvent interactions with N,N-dimethyltryptamine: formation of quaternary ammonium salts and their artificially induced rearrangements during analysis.

The psychoactive properties of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) 1a are known to induce altered states of consciousness in humans. This particular attribute attracts great interest from a variety of scientific and also clandestine communities. Our recent research has confirmed that DMT reacts with dichloromethane (DCM), either as a result of work-up or storage to give a quaternary N-chloromethyl ammonium salt 2a. Furthermore, this was observed to undergo rearrangement during analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with products including 3-(2-chloroethyl)indole 3 and 2-methyltetrahydro-beta-carboline 4 (2-Me-THBC). This study further investigates this so far unexplored area of solvent interactions by the exposure of DMT to other halogenated solvents including dibromomethane and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). The N-bromomethyl- and N-chloroethyl quaternary ammonium derivatives were subsequently characterised by ion trap GC-MS in electron and chemical ionisation tandem MS mode and by NMR spectroscopy. The DCE-derived derivative formed at least six rearrangement products in the total ion chromatogram. Identification of mass spectrometry generated by-products was verified by conventional or microwave-accelerated synthesis. The use of deuterated DCM and deuterated DMT 1b provided insights into the mechanism of the rearrangements. The presence of potentially characteristic marker molecules may allow the identification of solvents used during the manufacture of controlled substances, which is often neglected since these are considered inert.

Analytical chemistry of synthetic routes to psychoactive tryptamines. Part III. Characterisation of the Speeter and Anthony route to N,N-dialkylated tryptamines using CI-IT-MS-MS.

Twelve symmetrically and 13 asymmetrically N,N-disubstituted glyoxalylamide precursors and their corresponding tryptamine derivatives have been characterised by gas chromatography low-pressure chemical ionisation ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (CI-IT-MS-MS) with internal (in situ) ionisation using methanol as the chemical ionisation reagent. Mass spectral differences and similarities between the investigated compounds are discussed and put into context with previous investigations. In tryptamines the formation of [CH2=N+R2R3] iminium ions after beta-cleavage appears to be the dominating process. Dissociation of the protonated molecule into [3-vinylindole]+ for example, appears to be a minor pathway when compared with electrospray triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-TQ-MS-MS) where this ion transition was found to be of distinctive importance. CI-IT-MS-MS is also found to enable the differentiation between most isomeric derivatives studied.

Analytical chemistry of synthetic routes to psychoactive tryptamines. Part II. Characterisation of the Speeter and Anthony synthetic route to N,N-dialkylated tryptamines using GC-EI-ITMS, ESI-TQ-MS-MS and NMR.

The degree of alkylation of the side chain nitrogen in tryptamines is one important factor that affects psychoactivity. The method of Speeter and Anthony is considered to be one of the most important synthetic preparative methods. The final step in this reaction is based on the reduction of a (substituted) indole-3-yl-glyoxalylamide to the desired tryptamine with metal hydride. Twelve symmetrically and 13 asymmetrically N,N-disubstituted glyoxalylamides and their corresponding tryptamine derivatives have been synthesised and characterised by gas chromatography EI-ion trap mass spectrometry, electrospray-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Mass spectral and NMR similarities and differences between the investigated compounds are discussed. A solvent dependency is observed that has to be taken into consideration for the unambiguous assignment of (1)H- and (13)C-NMR chemical shifts. The (1)H-NMR study demonstrated that one can evaluate the rotamer populations of the asymmetrical glyoxalylamides. In a forensic or clinical scenario where single or multiple reaction monitoring approaches are contemplated, the appropriate ion transitions of choice may then focus on the two main fragmentations, namely beta-cleavage ([M+H](+)-->CH(2)N(+)R(2)R(3)) and/or alpha-cleavage ([M+H](+)-->[3-vinylindole](+)), respectively. The synthesis, NMR and MS analytical data presented provide the forensic analyst and clinical biochemist with a detailed and self-consistent body of information and mechanisms for the spectral identification of the more likely psychoactive tryptamines that may be met.

Analytical chemistry of synthetic routes to psychoactive tryptamines. Part I. Characterisation of the Speeter and Anthony synthetic route to 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine using ESI-MS-MS and ESI-TOF-MS.

5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT), a new psychoactive tryptamine derivative, has been synthesised by the Speeter and Anthony procedure. This synthetic route was characterised by ESI-MS-MS, ESI-TOF-MS and NMR. Side products have been identified as 3-(2-N,N-diisopropylamino-ethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol (5), 2-N,N-diisopropylamino-1-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-ethanol (6), 2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-ethanol (7) and 2-N,N-diisopropylamino-1-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-ethanone (8).