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Sim SBD, Lee HZS, Ong MC, Zhang S, Lim KA, Lim JLW, Yap TWA. Synthesis, characterization and differentiation of the structural isomers of valine and tert-leucine derived synthetic cannabinoids. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:420-434. [PMID: 37572031 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The identification of the synthetic cannabinoids receptor agonists (SCRAs) has always posed a great challenge to drug testing laboratories with slight structural modifications aimed at evading drug legislation. In addition, the most prevalent synthetic cannabinoids have valine and tert-leucine amino acid moieties where re-arrangement of the carbon chains can result in structural isomers that are very similar to the parent synthetic cannabinoids. This makes their analysis and identification challenging, and the problem is compounded with the difficulty in purchasing reference standards quickly and a lack of literature for comparison. Therefore, in this investigation, four series of synthetic cannabinoids (AB-PINACA, AB-CHMINACA, MMB-FUBINACA and 5-fluoro-MDMB-PINACA) and their alkyl chain structural isomers at the amino acid moieties were synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-infrared detection (GC-IRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to evaluate the ability of each analytical technique to differentiate the respective isomers for their identification. A total of 12 isomers were synthesized and analysed together with the four parent synthetic cannabinoids. NMR was able to differentiate between all the compounds, whereas GC-IRD was able to discern between most of the synthetic cannabinoids and their isomers. GC-MS had the least discriminating power and was not able to differentiate some of the compounds that has very similar mass spectra. The results from this work will be useful to other drug testing laboratories that are facing the identification of related synthetic cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sui Boon Derek Sim
- Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Hui Zhi Shirley Lee
- Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Mei Ching Ong
- Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Shuhua Zhang
- Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Kheng Aik Lim
- Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Jong Lee Wendy Lim
- Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
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2
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Liliedahl RE, Hutzell E, Haley M, Predecki DP, Davidson JT. The differentiation of N-butyl pentylone isomers using GC-EI-MS and NMR. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 351:111815. [PMID: 37713773 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Forensic laboratories are faced with an ever-expanding seized drug landscape including the increasing prevalence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), such as synthetic cathinones, that have varying potencies and scheduling. This study demonstrates a combined gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy approach for the differentiation of N-butyl pentylone isomers based on distinct retention times, characteristic EI mass spectra, and NMR characterization. Retention time reproducibility was assessed from 60 replicate measurements for each isomer over the course of a month. In addition, the effect of the mass spectrometer tune and the stability of an identified characteristic ion ratio using spectral data from ± 1 scan on either side of the peak apex were also statistically assessed using Welch's ANOVA testing. The presence of diastereomers for N-sec-butyl pentylone was identified using the developed GC-EI-MS method, which was confirmed using one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The retention time reproducibility of the chromatographic method was ± 0.076% or less over the course of a month. An identified characteristic ion ratio between the abundance of the fragment ion at m/z 128 and the fragment ion at m/z 72 enabled the differentiation of the four N-butyl pentylone isomers, even when accounting for the effect of the mass spectrometer tune and mass spectral scans used to calculate the characteristic ion ratio. The 95% confidence interval mean abundance ratio of the fragment ions at m/z 128 and m/z 72 was 17.14 ± 0.14 for N-butyl pentylone, 6.44 ± 0.05 for N-isobutyl pentylone, 3.38 ± 0.02 for N-sec-butyl pentylone, and 0.75 ± 0.01 for N-tert-butyl pentylone. These results highlight the capabilities of a combined GC-EI-MS and NMR approach for the differentiation and characterization of synthetic cathinone isomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby E Liliedahl
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Elise Hutzell
- Department of Chemistry, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA, USA
| | - Madison Haley
- Department of Chemistry, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA, USA
| | - Daniel P Predecki
- Department of Chemistry, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA, USA.
| | - J Tyler Davidson
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA.
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3
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Wei H, Jin H, Mu Z, Chen X, Chen X, Wang P, Guo X, Ding F, Liu X, Ma L. Artificial intelligence-aided preparation of perovskite SrFe xZr 1-xO 3-δ catalysts for ozonation degradation of organic pollutant concentrated water after membrane treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 318:137825. [PMID: 36681194 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Membrane technology has been widely used to treat wastewater from a variety of industries, but it also results in a large amount of concentrated wastewater containing organic pollutants after membrane treatment, which is challenging to decompose. Here in this work, a series of perovskite SrFexZr1-xO3-δ catalysts were prepared via a modified co-precipitation method and evaluated for catalytic ozone oxidative degradation of m-cresol. An artificial neural intelligence networks (ANN) model was employed to train the experimental data to optimize the preparation parameters of catalysts, with SrFe0.13Zr0.87O3-δ being the optimal catalysts. The resultant catalysts before and after reduction were then thoroughly characterized and tested for m-cresol degradation. It was found that the co-doping of Fe and Zr at the B-site and the improvement of oxygen vacancies and oxygen active species by reduction dramatically increased TOC removal rates up to 5 times compared with ozone alone, with the conversion rate of m-cresol reaching 100%. We also proposed a possible mechanism for m-cresol degradation via investigating the intermediates using GC-MS, and confirmed the good versatility of the reduced SrFe0.13Zr0.87O3-δ catalyst to remove other common organic pollutants in concentrated wastewater. This work demonstrates new prospects for the use of perovskite materials in wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, PR China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, PR China
| | - Huangzhao Wei
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, PR China
| | - Haibo Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhao Mu
- Institute of Applied Chemical Technology for Oilfield/ College of New Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- Chen Ping Laboratory of TIANS Engineering Technology Group Co. Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei, PR China
| | - Xinru Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ping Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China
| | - Fuchen Ding
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Lei Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fuels Cleaning and Advanced Catalytic Emission Reduction Technology/College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, Beijing, PR China.
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4
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Sharp J, Do D, Tyler Davidson J. Assessment of the similarity between in-source collision-induced dissociation (IS-CID) fragment ion spectra and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) product ion spectra for seized drug identifications. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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5
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Aslani S, Armstrong DW. High Information Spectroscopic Detection Techniques for Gas Chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1676:463255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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6
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Shamai-Yamin T, Shifrovich A, Madmon M, Belay C, Prihed H, Blanca M, Hindi A, Zafrani Y, Berliner A, Weissberg A. Elucidation of synthetic N-benzyl cathinone structures using chemical derivatization and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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7
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Ishii H, Yokoyama A, Saito K, Kataoka H. Synthesis and analytical differentiation of a novel synthetic cathinone 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)butan-1-one (5-PPDI) and its regioisomers. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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8
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Liliedahl RE, Davidson JT. The differentiation of synthetic cathinone isomers using GC-EI-MS and multivariate analysis. Forensic Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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9
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Sisco E, Burns A, Moorthy AS. Development and evaluation of a synthetic cathinone targeted gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:1919-1928. [PMID: 34190349 PMCID: PMC10010760 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
To address challenges associated with the increased prevalence of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs), laboratories often adopt new techniques or new methods with the goal of obtaining more detailed chemical information with a higher level of confidence. To demonstrate how new methods applied to existing techniques can be a viable approach, a targeted gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for synthetic cathinones was developed. To create the method, a range of GC-MS parameters were first investigated using a seven-component test solution with the goal of minimizing compounds with overlapping acceptance windows by maximizing retention time differences within a reasonable runtime. Once developed, the targeted method was evaluated through several studies and was compared to a general GC-MS confirmatory method. The method produced a twofold increase in retention time differences of the test solution compounds with a 3.83-min shorter runtime than the general method. Limitations of the method were also studied by analyzing an additional forty-eight cathinones to identify instances where definitive compound identification may not be possible due to overlapping acceptance windows and mass spectra. Thirty-eight pairs of compounds had retention times differences of less than 2% and, of those thirty-eight, one pair had indistinguishable mass spectra. A set of case samples were also analyzed using the method to evaluate suitability for casework. An increase in split ratio was required to obtain acceptable sensitivity. The development of this method is part of a larger project to measure benefits and drawbacks of different drug chemistry workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Sisco
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Amber Burns
- Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division, Pikesville, MD, USA
| | - Arun S Moorthy
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
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10
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Murakami T, Sakamoto Y, Sugimura N, Minami E, Iwamuro Y, Ishimaru R, Chinaka S, Hasegawa H. Regioisomer Differentiation of Ring-Substituted Chloromethcathinones and Bromomethcathinones Using Gas Chromatography/Electron Ionization-Triple Quadrupole Energy-Resolved Mass Spectrometry. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2021; 32:601-605. [PMID: 33284010 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.0c00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Positional isomers o-, m-, and p-chloromethcathinones (CMCs) and m- and p-bromomethcathinones (BMCs) were effectively differentiated using gas chromatography (GC) and energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) analyses. GC demonstrated that the free bases of CMC and BMC isomers were simultaneously baseline-separated at a slow column heating rate (5 °C/min) using a conventional low-polar capillary column. ERMS showed that the trifluoroacetyl derivatives of the positional isomers differed in mass spectral abundances of both halophenyl and halobenzoyl cations. Moreover, the logarithmic plots of the abundance ratio of the two cations as a function of the collision energy (CE) exhibited marked differences among the isomers at each CE, following the order of ortho < para < meta for CMCs and para < meta for BMCs. The performed theoretical calculations of dissociation energy agreed well with the ERMS measurements. The GC and ERMS methodologies enabled unambiguous and reliable differentiation of CMC and BMC isomers. The developed approach is expected to significantly contribute to the accurate structural identification of new psychoactive substances in forensic, toxicological, and clinical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaya Murakami
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan
- Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yuki Sakamoto
- Shimadzu Corporation, 1 Nishinokyo Kuwabara-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8511, Japan
| | - Natsuhiko Sugimura
- Materials Characterization Central Laboratory, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Ohkubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Eriko Minami
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Iwamuro
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan
| | - Reiko Ishimaru
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan
| | - Satoshi Chinaka
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hasegawa
- Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
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11
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Rose AR, Staretz ME, Joshi M, Wood M, Brettell TA. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of eight aminoindanes: 2-Aminoindane, N-methyl-2-, 5-methoxy-, 5-methoxy-6-methyl-, 4,5-methylenedioxy-, 5,6-methylenedioxy- and 5-iodo-2-aminoindane, and rasagiline. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2021; 35:e9207. [PMID: 34599535 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Aminoindanes are one class of many new psychoactive substances that have emerged over the last decade. Analogues of 2-aminoindane (2-AI) are being encountered in crime laboratories and analytical data for most aminoindanes are limited. Interpretation and optimization of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data will enhance reliability in characterizing aminoindanes. METHODS This study focuses on the electron ionization mass spectrometric fragmentation of eight aminoindane analogues and the gas chromatographic separation of these eight aminoindane analogues using four different column stationary phases, Rxi®-1Sil MS, Rxi®-5Sil MS, Rxi®-35Sil MS, and Rxi®-624Sil MS. Split injection (25:1) was utilized and each column had the same configuration (30 m × 25 mm × 0.25 μm), with the exception of the Rxi®-624Sil MS column (30 m × 25 mm ×1.4 μm). RESULTS Mass spectra showed strong molecular ions for all aminoindanes, except for rasagiline that produced a uniquely abundant [M - 1] ion. Other characteristic fragmentation that was present for all the aminoindanes included indane and indene ions (m/z 115-117), the tropylium ion (m/z 91), and subsequent loss of diene to produce smaller ions that followed: phenyl (m/z 77), cyclopentadienyl (m/z 65), cyclobutadienyl (m/z 51), and cyclopropenyl (m/z 39). CONCLUSIONS Separation of eight aminoindanes was optimized, and linear retention indices were determined for the compounds on four capillary columns. Based on the retention data, all eight aminoindanes were resolved on an Rxi®-624Sil MS column. Each aminoindane exhibited unique fragmentation ions in the mass spectra to distinguish between similar analogues. The results of this study will strengthen the analytical profiles of 2-AI and seven analogues, assisting forensic scientists in their analysis and identification of these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber R Rose
- Forensic Science Program, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, USA
| | - Marianne E Staretz
- Forensic Science Program, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, USA
| | - Monica Joshi
- Department of Chemistry, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Wood
- Ocean County Sheriff's Department, Toms River, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas A Brettell
- Forensic Science Program, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, USA
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12
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Electrochemical detection of the synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone using carbon screen-printed electrodes: A fast, simple and sensitive screening method for forensic samples. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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13
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Kranenburg RF, Verduin J, Stuyver LI, de Ridder R, van Beek A, Colmsee E, van Asten AC. Benefits of derivatization in GC–MS-based identification of new psychoactive substances. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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14
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Tyler Davidson J, Piacentino EL, Sasiene ZJ, Abiedalla Y, DeRuiter J, Clark CR, Berden G, Oomens J, Ryzhov V, Jackson GP. Identification of novel fragmentation pathways and fragment ion structures in the tandem mass spectra of protonated synthetic cathinones. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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15
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Kranenburg RF, van Geenen FAMG, Berden G, Oomens J, Martens J, van Asten AC. Mass-Spectrometry-Based Identification of Synthetic Drug Isomers Using Infrared Ion Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2020; 92:7282-7288. [PMID: 32286052 PMCID: PMC7240807 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Infrared ion spectroscopy (IRIS), a mass-spectrometry-based technique exploiting resonant infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD), has been applied for the identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Identification of the precise isomeric forms of NPS is of significant forensic relevance since legal controls are dependent on even minor molecular differences such as a single ring-substituent position. Using three isomers of fluoroamphetamine and two ring-isomers of both MDA and MDMA, we demonstrate the ability of IRIS to distinguish closely related NPS. Computationally predicted infrared (IR) spectra are shown to correspond with experimental spectra and could explain the molecular origins of their distinctive IR absorption bands. IRIS was then used to investigate a confiscated street sample containing two unknown substances. One substance could easily be identified by comparison to the IR spectra of reference standards. For the other substance, however, this approach proved inconclusive due to incomplete mass spectral databases as well as a lack of available reference compounds, two common analytical limitations resulting from the rapid development of NPS. Most excitingly, the second unknown substance could nevertheless be identified by using computationally predicted IR spectra of several potential candidate structures instead of their experimental reference spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben F. Kranenburg
- Unit
Amsterdam, Forensic Laboratory, Dutch National
Police, Kabelweg 25, Amsterdam 1014 BA, The Netherlands
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
| | - Fred A. M. G. van Geenen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Giel Berden
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Oomens
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Martens
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Arian C. van Asten
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
- Co
van Ledden Hulsebosch Center (CLHC), Amsterdam Center for Forensic
Science and Medicine, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
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16
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Revealing hidden information in GC–MS spectra from isomeric drugs: Chemometrics based identification from 15 eV and 70 eV EI mass spectra. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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17
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Kranenburg RF, García-Cicourel AR, Kukurin C, Janssen HG, Schoenmakers PJ, van Asten AC. Distinguishing drug isomers in the forensic laboratory: GC-VUV in addition to GC-MS for orthogonal selectivity and the use of library match scores as a new source of information. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 302:109900. [PMID: 31382222 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Currently, forensic drug experts are facing chemical identification challenges with the increasing number of new isomeric forms of psychoactive substances occurring in case samples. Very similar mass spectra for these substances could easily result in misidentification using the regular GC-MS screening methods in combination with colorimetric testing in forensic laboratories. Building on recent work from other groups, this study demonstrates that GC-VUV is a powerful technique for drug isomer differentiation, showing reproducible and discriminating spectra for aromatic ring-isomers. MS and VUV show complementary selectivity as VUV spectra are ring-position specific whereas MS spectra are characteristic for the amine moieties of the molecule. VUV spectra are very reproducible showing less than 0.1‰ deviation in library match scores and therefore small spectral differences suffice to confidently distinguish isomers. In comparison, MS match scores gave over 10‰ deviation and showed significant overlap in match score ranges for several isomers. This poses a risk for false positive identifications when assigning compounds based on retention time and GC-MS mass spectrum. A strategy was developed, based on Kernel Density Estimations of match scores, to construct Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and estimate likelihood ratios (LR values) with respect to the chemical differentiation of drug related isomers. This approach, and the added value of GC-VUV is demonstrated with the chemical analysis of several samples from drug case work from the Amsterdam area involving both compounds listed in Dutch drug legislation (3,4-MDMA; 3,4-MDA; 4-MMC; 4-MEC and 4-FA) as well as their unlisted and thus uncontrolled isomers (2,3-MDMA; 2,3-MDA; 2- and 3-MMC; 2- and 3-MEC and 2- and 3-FA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben F Kranenburg
- Dutch National Police, Unit Amsterdam, Forensic Laboratory, Kabelweg 25, Amsterdam 1014 BA, Netherlands; Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands.
| | - Alan R García-Cicourel
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
| | - Corina Kukurin
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
| | - Hans-Gerd Janssen
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands; Unilever Research and Development, P.O. Box 114, Vlaardingen 3130 AC, Netherlands
| | - Peter J Schoenmakers
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
| | - Arian C van Asten
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands; Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center (CLHC), Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
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Shirley Lee HZ, Koh HB, Tan S, Goh BJ, Lim R, Lim JLW, Angeline Yap TW. Identification of closely related new psychoactive substances (NPS) using solid deposition gas-chromatography infra-red detection (GC–IRD) spectroscopy. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 299:21-33. [PMID: 30954004 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Smith LW, Thaxton-Weissenfluh A, Abiedalla Y, DeRuiter J, Smith F, Clark CR. Correlation of vapor phase infrared spectra and regioisomeric structure in synthetic cannabinoids. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2018; 196:375-384. [PMID: 29486418 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2018.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The twelve 1-n-pentyl-2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-(1- and 2-naphthoyl)-indoles each have the same substituents attached to the indole ring, identical elemental composition (C24H23NO) yielding identical nominal and accurate masses. These twelve isomers cover all possible positions of carbonyl bridge substitution for both indole (positons 2-7) and naphthalene rings (positions 1 and 2). Regioisomeric compounds can represent significant challenges for mass based analytical methods however, infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the identification of positional isomers in organic compounds. The vapor phase infrared spectra of these twelve uniquely similar compounds were evaluated in GC-IR experiments. These spectra show the bridge position on the indole ring is a dominating influence over the carbonyl absorption frequency observed for these compounds. Substitution on the pyrrole moiety of the indole ring yields the lowest CO frequency values for position 2 and 3 giving a narrow range from 1656 to 1654cm-1. Carbonyl absorption frequencies are higher when the naphthoyl group is attached to the benzene portion of the indole ring yielding absorption values from 1674 to 1671cm-1. The aliphatic stretching bands in the 2900cm-1 region yield a consistent triplet pattern because the N-alkyl substituent tail group remains unchanged for all twelve regioisomers. The asymmetric CH2 stretch is the most intense of these three bands. Changes in positional bonding for both the indole and naphthalene ring systems results in unique patterns within the 700 wavenumber out-of-plane region and these absorption bands are different for all 12 regioisomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis W Smith
- Forensic Spectral Research, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, USA
| | - Amber Thaxton-Weissenfluh
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Younis Abiedalla
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, El-Beida, Libya
| | - Jack DeRuiter
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Forrest Smith
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - C Randall Clark
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
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Abiedalla Y, DeRuiter J, Smith F, Clark CR. Differentiation of the six dimethoxypyrovalerone regioisomers: GC-MS, GC-MS/MS and GC-IR. Talanta 2017; 171:220-228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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