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Nytka M, Wan J, Tureček F, Lemr K. Cyclic Ion Mobility of Isomeric New Psychoactive Substances Employing Characteristic Arrival Time Distribution Profiles and Adduct Separation. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024. [PMID: 38949154 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS), which is essential for toxicological and forensic reasons, can be made complicated by the presence of isomers. Ion mobility has been used as a standalone technique or coupled to mass spectrometry to detect and identify NPS. However, isomer separation has so far chiefly relied on chromatography. Here we report on the determination of isomeric ratios using cyclic ion mobility-mass spectrometry without any chromatographic separation. Isomers were distinguished by mobility separation of lithium adducts. Alternatively, we used arrival time distribution (ATD) profiles that were characteristic of individual isomers and were acquired for protonated molecules or fragment ions. Both approaches provided comparable results. Calculations were used to determine the structures and collision cross sections of both protonated and lithiated isomers that accurately characterized their ion mobility properties. The applicability of ATD profiles to isomer differentiation was demonstrated using direct infusion and flow injection analysis with electrospray of solutions, as well as desorption electrospray of solid samples. Data processing was performed by applying multiple linear regression to the ATD profiles. Using the proposed ATD profile-based approach, the relationships between the determined and given content of isomers showed good linearity with coefficients of determination typically greater than 0.99. Flow injection analysis using an autosampler allowed us to rapidly determine isomeric ratios in a sample containing two isomeric pairs with a minor isomer of 10% (determined 9.3% of 3-MMC and 11.0% of 3-FMC in a mixture with buphedrone and 4-FMC). The proposed approach is not only useful for NPS, but also may be applicable to small isomeric molecules analyzed by ion mobility when complete separation of isomers is not achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Nytka
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, 17. Listopadu 12, 77146 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jiahao Wan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States
| | - František Tureček
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United States
| | - Karel Lemr
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, 17. Listopadu 12, 77146 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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2
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Aderorho R, Lucas SW, Chouinard CD. Separation and Characterization of Synthetic Cannabinoid Metabolite Isomers Using SLIM High-Resolution Ion Mobility-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HRIM-MS/MS). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:582-589. [PMID: 38361441 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids, a subclass of new psychoactive substances (NPS), are laboratory-made substances that are chemically similar to those found naturally in the cannabis plant. Many of these substances are illicitly manufactured and have been associated with severe health problems, prompting a need to develop analytical methods capable of characterizing both known and previously undetected compounds. This work focuses on a novel Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) IM-MS approach to the differentiation and structural characterization of synthetic cannabinoid metabolites, specifically MDA-19/BUTINACA, JWH-018, and JWH-250 isomer groups. These different compound classes are structurally very similar, differing only in the position of one or a few functional groups; this yielded similarity in measured collision cross section (CCS) values. However, the high resolution of SLIM IM provided adequate separation of many of these isomers, such as sodiated JWH-250 metabolites N-4-OH, N-5-OH, and 5-OH, which displayed CCS of 187.5, 182.5, and 202.3 Å2, respectively. In challenging cases where baseline separation was precluded due to nearly identical CCS, such as for JWH-018 isomers, simple derivatization by dansyl chloride selectively reacted with the 6-OH compound to provide differentiation of all isomers using a combination of CCS and m/z. Finally, the opportunity to use this method for structural elucidation of unknowns was demonstrated by using SLIM IM mobility-aligned MS/MS fragmentation. Different MDA-19/BUTINACA isomers were first mobility separated and could then be individually activated, yielding unique fragments for both targeted identification and structural determination. Overall, the described SLIM IM-MS/MS workflow provides significant potential as a rapid screening tool for the characterization of emerging NPS such as synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Aderorho
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Shadrack Wilson Lucas
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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3
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García-Atienza P, Esteve-Turrillas F, Armenta S, Herrero-Martínez J. Ethylphenidate determination in oral fluids by molecularly imprinted polymer extraction and ion mobility spectrometry. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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4
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Belenguer-Sapiña C, Sáez-Hernández R, Pellicer-Castell E, Armenta S, Mauri-Aucejo A. Simultaneous determination of third-generation synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluids using cyclodextrin-silica porous sorbents. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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5
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Vincenti F, Gregori A, Flammini M, Di Rosa F, Salomone A. Seizures of New Psychoactive Substances on the Italian territory during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 326:110904. [PMID: 34371393 PMCID: PMC8411784 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the availability and the consequent consumption of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have proliferated at an unprecedented rate, posing a significant risk to the public health and challenging the law enforcement efforts to tackle the black market. In particular, large availability on Internet and unmonitored shipping have facilitated the diffusion of NPS on national territories. In this scenario, the forensic activity based on the process of drug detection, including investigation, seizure, recognition and analytical identification is crucial to get insights into the drug black market transformation. In this study, we describe the results obtained from the analysis of hundreds of packages seized during the months of year 2020, and suspected to contain NPS because not reacting with standard field test kits. We focused on the analysis by GC-MS and HPLC-HRMS, and NPS in particular, trying to underline the most common molecules present on the Italian territory during the COVID-19 pandemic. NPS were identified in 92.6% of the samples. The most prevalent compounds were synthetic cathinones, and 3-MMC in particular, which alone accounted for 18.6% of the total cases. Other prevalent molecules were 5F-MDMB-PICA, 2-FDCK, 1cp-LSD and 1P-LSD. Fentanyl was never detected. The information obtained from drug seizures is crucial to publish national alerts, which are in turn important to assist the legislative effort to ban new compounds and the update of toxicological and analytical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaminia Vincenti
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Chemistry, 00185 Rome, Italy; Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Carabinieri, Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), 00191 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Flammini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Fabiana Di Rosa
- Carabinieri, Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), 00191 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia, 10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy.
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Sisco E, Staymates ME, Watt LM. Net Weights: Visualizing and Quantifying their Contribution to Drug Background Levels in Forensic Laboratories. Forensic Chem 2021; 20. [PMID: 34151050 DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
While the drug background in forensic laboratories has been quantified, the processes that most contribute to the background have not been extensively researched. This work presents both qualitative visualization and quantitative analysis of the spread of simulant drug particulate during the process of taking net weights. The process was modeled using three masses of powder (0.2 g, 2 g, and 100 g). The net weight process, in which the mixture was poured onto weighing paper, was mimicked and the resulting aerosolized particulate was allowed to settle. Wetted cotton swabs were then used to sample 6.45 cm2 (1 in2) squares extending up to 61 cm (24 in) away from the weigh paper. The swabs were then extracted and quantified using LC-MS/MS and two-dimensional color plots were created to visualize the magnitude of particulate spread. Qualitative flow visualization of the process, accomplished using laser light sheet videography, was also completed to support the quantitative extraction experiments and provide a visual representation of the mechanism of particulate spread. Surface concentrations were found to be highest in the area immediately surrounding the weigh paper, though transport as far as 61 cm (24 in) was observed with all mass loadings. The amount of the material aerosolized and transported on the bench surrounding the weigh paper was dependent upon the mass of material being poured. These results highlight that weighing activities encountered in forensic labs may be a primary contributor to drug background and may be a potential source of inhalation exposure for chemists.
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Norman C, McKirdy B, Walker G, Dugard P, NicDaéid N, McKenzie C. Large-scale evaluation of ion mobility spectrometry for the rapid detection of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists in infused papers in prisons. Drug Test Anal 2021; 13:644-663. [PMID: 33058556 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), colloquially known as "spice," are commonly used in prisons and enter establishments via the mail in the form of infused papers. Many prisons use benchtop ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) instruments to screen mail and seized materials for the presence of SCRAs and other controlled substances. The selectivity and sensitivity of Rapiscan Itemiser® 3E and Itemiser® 4DN Ion Trap Mobility Spectroscopy™ (ITMS™) systems were evaluated using 21 SCRA reference standards. Some differences in the SCRA reduced mobility (K0 ) values were observed between this study and those reported previously using IMS detection systems, particularly for cumyl and quinolinyl SCRAs (e.g., 5F-PB-22, Cumyl-4CN-BINACA, and 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE), although this was found to have little effect at an operational level. Operational reliability of the systems was evaluated by analyzing 392 paper and card samples with known drug content. ITMS™ system results (e.g., detect or nondetect) were in agreement with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in up to 95% of samples tested. Overall, this study found the ITMS™ systems tested to be effective instruments when deployed for the rapid detection of SCRA-infused papers. Used effectively and with up-to-date substance libraries, they will help reduce the supply of SCRAs into prisons and identify emerging threats as they arise. Several emerging SCRAs (5F-MPP-PICA, 5F-EMB-PICA, and 4F-MDMB-BICA) were detected for the first time in Scottish prisons between May and August 2020 as a result of routine monitoring, and all were detected using the ITMS™ systems tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Norman
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Brian McKirdy
- HMP Inverness, Scottish Prison Service, Inverness, UK
| | - Gillian Walker
- Public Protection Unit, Scottish Prison Service, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Pat Dugard
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Niamh NicDaéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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8
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Berger J, Staretz ME, Wood M, Brettell TA. Ultraviolet absorption properties of synthetic cathinones. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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9
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Huang L, Li T, Zhang Y, Sun X, Wang Y, Nie Z. Discrimination of narcotic drugs in human urine based on nanoplasmonics combined with chemometric method. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 186:113174. [PMID: 32272278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The detection of psychoactive substances is an important branch of modern analytical chemistry and has many legally and socially relevant implications. The use of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based gene-nanoparticle system has emerged as a promising technique for the rapid and ultrasensitive detection of molecular species such as drugs of abuse in biofluids. However, the development of a viable screening tool for the detection of multiple classes of drugs in complex media is a considerable challenge because the existing techniques lack affinity toward certain species due to matrix interference. Our aim was to develop a simple optical sensor array for the classification of nine narcotic drugs in aqueous solution and human urine. The UV-vis spectra of DNA-gold nanoparticles in the presence of nine narcotic drugs (pentobarbital sodium, caffeine, morphine, remifentanil, fentanyl, ketamine, etomidate, carfentanil, and sulfentanyl) were distinctly different. Furthermore, the narcotic drugs present in aqueous solution and in human urine were classified correctly through partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Combination with a multi-sensor unit further improved the prediction accuracy of the PLS-DA models. The proposed method has potential for on-site drug detection and drug abuse screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Tongtong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yingjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaohong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yongan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhiyong Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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10
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What's in the bag? Analysis of exterior drug packaging by TD-DART-MS to predict the contents. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 304:109939. [PMID: 31580981 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The need for a safe and reliable presumptive test for law enforcement, first responders, and laboratory personnel is critical in the era of dangerous synthetic opioids and other novel psychoactive substances. Obtaining drug identification information without handling bulk powder is one way of accomplishing this task. This work evaluates whether trace residue on the exterior of drug packaging presents a potential source for presumptive testing. Utilizing a wipe-based approach, the outside of the packaging of nearly 200 case exhibits were sampled and analyzed by thermal desorption direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (TD-DART-MS). While residue on the law enforcement (outer) packaging was a poor indicator of the contents (less than 50% accurate), the exterior of the drug (inner) packaging was shown to be an excellent indicator of its contents (92% accurate). Quantitative analysis of the wipes, using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) showed that typical masses of residue on the exterior of packaging ranged from single to tens of micrograms - enough for detection by a number of trace detection tools. These initial results demonstrate that wipe-based trace sampling approaches present a promising, reliable, and safe method for presumptive testing by law enforcement, first responders, or laboratory personnel.
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11
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Kelly K, Bell S, Maleki H, Valentine S. Synthetic Small Molecule Characterization and Isomer Discrimination Using Gas-Phase Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange IMS-MS. Anal Chem 2019; 91:6259-6265. [PMID: 30999746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) combined with gas-phase hydrogen-deuterium exchange has been used to characterize novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) which are small synthetic compounds designed to mimic the effects of other illicit substances. Here, NPSs containing labile heteroatom hydrogens were evaluated for HDX reactivity in the presence of either deuterated water (D2O) or ammonia (ND3) within the drift tube. An initial evaluation of exchange propensity was performed for six NPSs. Five compounds exchanged in the presence of ND3 while only one NPS (benzyl piperazine) exchanged with D2O. The exchange mechanism of D2O requires stabilization with a nearby charged site; the diamine ring of benzyl piperazine provided this charge site at a fixed length. Three disubstituted benzene isomers ( o-, m-, and p-fluorophenyl piperazine) containing the diamine ring structure and a fluorine atom were subsequently analyzed. Having identical isotopic composition and nearly identical drift time distributions, these isomers could not be distinguished by IMS-MS alone. However, upon undergoing HDX in the drift tube, a t test of means (α = 0.05) showed that discrimination was possible if the exchange data from both reagent gases were included. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the proximity of the fluorine to the diamine ring hinders the dihedral angle rotation between the benzene and the diamine ring; this may partially account for the observed exchange differences.
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12
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Zaknoun H, Binette MJ, Tam M. Analyzing fentanyl and fentanyl analogues by ion mobility spectrometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12127-019-00244-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Metternich S, Zörntlein S, Schönberger T, Huhn C. Ion mobility spectrometry as a fast screening tool for synthetic cannabinoids to uncover drug trafficking in jail via herbal mixtures, paper, food, and cosmetics. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:833-846. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Metternich
- State Office of Criminal Investigation Rhineland‐PalatinateDepartment of Forensic Science Mainz Germany
| | - Siegfried Zörntlein
- State Office of Criminal Investigation Rhineland‐PalatinateDepartment of Forensic Science Mainz Germany
| | | | - Carolin Huhn
- Eberhard Karls Universität TübingenInstitute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Tübingen Germany
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Yanini A, Esteve-Turrillas F, de la Guardia M, Armenta S. Ion mobility spectrometry and high resolution mass-spectrometry as methodologies for rapid identification of the last generation of new psychoactive substances. J Chromatogr A 2018; 1574:91-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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15
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Yanini Á, Armenta S, Esteve-Turrillas FA, Galipienso N, de la Guardia M. Identification and characterization of the new psychoactive substance 3-fluoroethamphetamine in seized material. Forensic Toxicol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-018-0416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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16
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Hauck BC, Siems WF, Harden CS, McHugh VM, Hill HH. High Accuracy Ion Mobility Spectrometry for Instrument Calibration. Anal Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Hauck
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, 305 Fulmer Hall, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - William F. Siems
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, 305 Fulmer Hall, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - Charles S. Harden
- LEIDOS—U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center Operations, P.O. Box 68, Gunpowder, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Vincent M. McHugh
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Herbert H. Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, 305 Fulmer Hall, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
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17
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Kohyama E, Chikumoto T, Tada H, Kitaichi K, Horiuchi T, Ito T. Differentiation of the Isomers of N-Alkylated Cathinones by GC-EI-MS-MS and LC-PDA. ANAL SCI 2018; 32:831-7. [PMID: 27506708 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.32.831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic compounds structurally derived from the mild stimulant 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone, known as cathinone derivatives, are one of the largest growing class of synthetic designer drugs. The characterization of these drugs is complicated by the structural diversity and similarity of compounds in the ever-growing cathinone family. This paper demonstrates the successful application of gas chromatography-electron ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS-MS) and liquid chromatography-photodiode array (LC-PDA) analysis to differentiate structurally similar derivatives including regioisomers of cathinones. Product ion spectrometry of iminium ions allows for an univocal differentiation of the studied cathinones with the same aminoalkyl moiety. Furthermore, the product ion spectrometry of acylium ions and ultraviolet spectra obtained by LC-PDA enabled differentiation of regioisomers resulting from different substitution patterns on the aromatic ring. The validity of the method was demonstrated by the analysis of N-alkylated ortho-, meta-, and para-alkylcathinones along with the scaffolds of buphedrones and pentiophenones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erina Kohyama
- Gifu Prefectural Research Institute for Health and Environmental Sciences
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18
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Lian R, Wu Z, Lv X, Rao Y, Li H, Li J, Wang R, Ni C, Zhang Y. Rapid screening of abused drugs by direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) combined with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Forensic Sci Int 2017; 279:268-280. [PMID: 28888687 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Increasing in cases involving drugs of abuse leads to heavy burden for law enforcement agencies, exacerbating demand for rapid screening technique. In this study, atmospheric pressure ionization technologies including direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (DART-TOF-MS)as well asdopant-assisted positive photoionization ion mobility spectrometry (DAPP-IMS) without radioactivity were utilized together as the powerful analytical tool for the rapid screening and identification of 53 abused drugs.The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.05-2μg/mL when using DART-TOF-MS and 0.02-2μg when using DAPP-IMS which could satisfy the actual requirement in forensic science laboratory. The advantages of this method included fast response, high-throughput potential, high specificity, and minimal sample preparation. A screening library of reduced mobility (K0), accurate mass of informative precursor ion ([M+H]+) and fragment ions was established respectively by employing a bench-top DAPP-IMS and TOF-MS in-source collision induced dissociation (CID) mode. Then the standardized screening procedure was developed with criteria for the confirmation of positive result. A total of 50 seized drug samples provided by local forensic laboratory we reanalyzed to testify the utility of the method. This study suggests that a method combing DART-TOF-MS and DAPP-IMS is promising for the rapid screening and identification of abused drugs with minimal sample preparation and absence of chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Lian
- Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai, PR China; China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhongping Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiaobao Lv
- Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yulan Rao
- Department of Forensic Medicine (Center of Forensic Science), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Haiyang Li
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, PR China
| | - Jinghua Li
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, PR China
| | - Rong Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Chunfang Ni
- Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yurong Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai, PR China.
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Hollerbach A, Baird Z, Cooks RG. Ion Separation in Air Using a Three-Dimensional Printed Ion Mobility Spectrometer. Anal Chem 2017; 89:5058-5065. [PMID: 28383249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hollerbach
- Chemistry
Department, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | | | - R. Graham Cooks
- Chemistry
Department, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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20
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Heather E, Bortz A, Shimmon R, McDonagh AM. Organic impurity profiling of methylone and intermediate compounds synthesized from catechol. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:436-445. [PMID: 27886663 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This work examined the synthesis and organic impurity profile of methylone prepared from catechol. The primary aim of this work was to determine whether the synthetic pathway used to prepare 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone could be ascertained through analysis of the synthesized methylone. The secondary aim was the structural elucidation and origin determination of the organic impurities detected in methylone and the intermediate compounds. The organic impurities present in the reaction products were identified using GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. Six organic impurities were detected in 1,3-benzodioxole and identified as the 1,3-benzodioxole dimer, 1,3-benzodioxole trimer, [1,3] dioxolo[4,5-b]oxanthrene, 4,4'-, 4,5'-, and 5,5'-methylenebis-1,3-benzodioxole. Six organic impurities were detected in 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone and identified as (2-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate, [2-(chloromethoxy) phenyl] propanoate, (2-propanoyloxyphenyl)propanoate, 5-[1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)prop-1-enyl]-1,3-benzodioxole, (5E)- and (5Z)-7-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-ethylidene-6-methyl-cyclopenta[f][1,3]benzodioxole). Exploratory synthetic experiments were also conducted to unambiguously identify the organic impurities detected in 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone. Two organic impurities were detected in 5-bromo-3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone and identified as [2-(chloromethoxy)phenyl] propanoate and 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone. Five organic impurities were detected in methylone and identified as 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-methyl-propan-1-imine, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methylimino-propan-1-one, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N1,N2-dimethyl-propane-1,2-diimine and butylated hydroxytoluene. The origin of these organic impurities was also ascertained, providing valuable insight into the chemical profiles of methylone and the intermediate compounds. However, neither the catechol precursor nor the 1,3-benzodioxole intermediate could be identified based on the organic impurities detected in the synthesized methylone using standard techniques. This demonstrated that the organic impurity profiling of methylone had limitations in the determination of precursor chemical and synthetic pathways used. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Heather
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Adam Bortz
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Ronald Shimmon
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Andrew M McDonagh
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
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Sisco E, Forbes TP, Staymates ME, Gillen G. Rapid Analysis of Trace Drugs and Metabolites Using a Thermal Desorption DART-MS Configuration. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2016; 8:6494-6499. [PMID: 28630654 PMCID: PMC5473286 DOI: 10.1039/c6ay01851c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The need to analyze trace narcotic samples rapidly for screening or confirmatory purposes is of increasing interest to the forensic, homeland security, and criminal justice sectors. This work presents a novel method for the detection and quantification of trace drugs and metabolites off of a swipe material using a thermal desorption direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (TD-DART-MS) configuration. A variation on traditional DART, this configuration allows for desorption of the sample into a confined tube, completely independent of the DART source, allowing for more efficient and thermally precise analysis of material present on a swipe. Over thirty trace samples of narcotics, metabolites, and cutting agents deposited onto swipes were rapidly differentiated using this methodology. The non-optimized method led to sensitivities ranging from single nanograms to hundreds of picograms. Direct comparison to traditional DART with a subset of the samples highlighted an improvement in sensitivity by a factor of twenty to thirty and an increase in reproducibility sample to sample from approximately 45 % RSD to less than 15 % RSD. Rapid extraction-less quantification was also possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Sisco
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Materials Measurement Science Division, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Thomas P. Forbes
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Materials Measurement Science Division, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Matthew E. Staymates
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Materials Measurement Science Division, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Greg Gillen
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Materials Measurement Science Division, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
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22
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Peiró MDLN, Armenta S, Garrigues S, de la Guardia M. Determination of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in oral and nasal fluids by ion mobility spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 408:3265-73. [PMID: 26898205 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9395-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A fast and sensitive methodology has been developed for the evaluation of the 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) consumed. Based on ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), MDPV was directly determined in nasal fluids with a limit of detection (LOD) in the order of 22 ng mL(-1), which corresponds to an absolute amount of 33 ng of MDPV per swab. MDPV was also determined after liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME) in oral fluids to avoid matrix effects, obtaining a LOD value of 4.4 ng mL(-1) in oral fluid samples. The IMS spectrum for MDPV exhibited a peak with K0 = 1.210 ± 0.005 cm(2)V(-1) s(-1) at a drift time of 14.62 ms, the total analysis time being 4.5 min per oral fluid and 1.5 min per nasal fluid sample. Samples must be analyzed within 24 h following collection and dissolution in 2-propanol, based on the complementary stability studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria de las Nieves Peiró
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Research Building, University of Valencia, Dr Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Armenta
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Research Building, University of Valencia, Dr Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Salvador Garrigues
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Research Building, University of Valencia, Dr Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel de la Guardia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Research Building, University of Valencia, Dr Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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23
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Thevis M, Kuuranne T, Walpurgis K, Geyer H, Schänzer W. Annual banned-substance review: analytical approaches in human sports drug testing. Drug Test Anal 2016; 8:7-29. [PMID: 26767774 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of improving anti-doping efforts is predicated on several different pillars, including, amongst others, optimized analytical methods. These commonly result from exploiting most recent developments in analytical instrumentation as well as research data on elite athletes' physiology in general, and pharmacology, metabolism, elimination, and downstream effects of prohibited substances and methods of doping, in particular. The need for frequent and adequate adaptations of sports drug testing procedures has been incessant, largely due to the uninterrupted emergence of new chemical entities but also due to the apparent use of established or even obsolete drugs for reasons other than therapeutic means, such as assumed beneficial effects on endurance, strength, and regeneration capacities. Continuing the series of annual banned-substance reviews, literature concerning human sports drug testing published between October 2014 and September 2015 is summarized and reviewed in reference to the content of the 2015 Prohibited List as issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), with particular emphasis on analytical approaches and their contribution to enhanced doping controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne/Bonn, Germany
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Doping Control Laboratory, United Medix Laboratories, Höyläämötie 14, 00380, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Walpurgis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans Geyer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Schänzer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
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24
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Smith JP, Sutcliffe OB, Banks CE. An overview of recent developments in the analytical detection of new psychoactive substances (NPSs). Analyst 2016; 140:4932-48. [PMID: 26031385 DOI: 10.1039/c5an00797f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPSs), sometimes referred to as "legal highs" in more colloquial environments/the media, are a class of compounds that have been recently made available for abuse (not necessarily recently discovered) which provide similar effects to the traditional well studied illegal drugs but are not always controlled under existing local, regional or international drug legislation. Following an unprecedented increase in the number of NPSs in the last 5 years (with 101 substances discovered for the first time in 2014 alone) its, occasionally fatal, consequences have been extensively reported in the media. Such NPSs are typically marketed as 'not for human consumption' and are instead labelled and sold as plant food, bath salts as well as a whole host of other equally nondescript aliases in order to bypass legislative controls. NPSs are a new multi-disciplinary research field with the main emphasis in terms of forensic identification due to their adverse health effects, which can range from minimal to life threatening and even fatalities. In this mini-review we overview this recent emerging research area of NPSs and the analytical approaches reported to provide detection strategies as well as detailing recent reports towards providing point-of-care/in-the-field NPS ("legal high") sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie P Smith
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Science and the Environment, Division of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK.
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25
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Direct drug analysis from oral fluid using medical swab touch spray mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2015; 861:47-54. [PMID: 25702273 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Fourteen common drugs of abuse were identified in spiked oral fluid (ng mL(-1) levels), analyzed directly from medical swabs using touch spray mass spectrometry (TS-MS), exemplifying a rapid test for drug detection. Multiple stages of mass analysis (MS(2) and MS(3)) provided identification and detection limits sought by international forensic and toxicological societies, Δ(9)-THC and buprenorphine excluded. The measurements were made using a medical swab as both the sampling probe and means of ionization. The adaptation of medical swabs for TS-MS analysis allows non-invasive and direct sampling of neat oral fluid. Data acquisition was rapid, seconds per drug, and MS(3) ensured reliable identification of illicit drugs. The reported data were acquired to investigate (i) ionization of common drugs from commercial swabs, (ii) ion intensity over spray duration, and (iii) dynamic range, all as initial steps in development of a quantitative method. The approach outlined is intended for point-of-care drug testing using oral fluid in clinical applications as well as in situ settings, viz. in forensic applications. The proof-of-concept results presented will require extension to other controlled substances and refinement in analytical procedures to meet clinical/legal requirements.
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