GC-MS Studies on Acylated Derivatives of 3-Methoxy-4-methyl- and 4-Methoxy-3-methyl-phenethylamines: Regioisomers Related to 3 4-MDMA

• NCJ Number: 255317
• Journal: Forensic Science International Volume: 178 Dated: 2008 Pages: 61-82
• Author(s): Tarek Belal; Tamer Awad; Jack Deruiter; C. R. Clark
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 22 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2006-DN-BX-K016
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Synthesis and Analytical Profiles for Regiosomeric and Isobaric Amines Related to MDMA, MDEA and MBDB: Differentiation of Drug and non-Drug Substances of Mass Spectral Equivalence.

Annotation

In this project, the acetyl, propionyl and trifluoroacetyl derivatives of the primary and secondary regioisomeric amines were prepared and evaluated in GC–MS studies. 

Abstract

A series of side chain regioisomers of 3-methoxy-4-methyl- and 4-methoxy-4-methyl-phenethylamines have mass spectra essentially equivalent to the controlled drug substance 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA); all have molecular weight of 193 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 58 and 135/136. In the current project, the mass spectra for the acetyl, propionyl, and trifluoroacetyl derivatives of the primary and secondary regioisomeric amines were significantly individualized. The resulting unique fragment ions enabled specific side chain identification. The trifluoroacetyl derivatives provided more fragment ions for molecular individualization among these regioisomeric substances. These trifluoroacetyl derivatives showed excellent resolution on a non-polar stationary phase such as Rtx-1. (publisher abstract modified)