GC-MS and GC-IRD studies on the ring isomers of N-methyl-2-methoxyphenyl-3-butanamines (MPBA) related to 3,4-MDMA

Awad, T; Maher, HM; Deruiter, J; Clark, CR

HERO ID

3859206

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2011

Language

English

PMID

21549024

HERO ID 3859206
In Press No
Year 2011
Title GC-MS and GC-IRD studies on the ring isomers of N-methyl-2-methoxyphenyl-3-butanamines (MPBA) related to 3,4-MDMA
Authors Awad, T; Maher, HM; Deruiter, J; Clark, CR
Journal Journal of Chromatographic Science
Volume 49
Issue 5
Page Numbers 345-352
Abstract The mass spectra of the controlled substance 3,4-MDMA and its regioisomer 2,3-MDMA are characterized by an imine fragment base peak at m/z 58 and additional fragments at m/z 135/136 for the methylenedioxybenzyl cation and radical cation, respectively. Three positional ring methoxy isomers of N-methyl-2-(methoxyphenyl)-3-butanamine (MPBA) have an isobaric relationship to 2,3- and 3,4-MDMA. All five compounds have the same molecular weight and produce similar EI mass spectra. This lack of mass spectral specificity for the isomers in addition to the possibility of chromatographic co-elution could result in misidentification. The lack of reference materials for the potential imposter molecules constitutes a significant analytical challenge. Perfluoroacylation of the amine group reduced the nitrogen basicity and provided individual fragmentation pathways for discrimination among these compounds based on unique fragment ions and the relative abundance of common ions. Studies using gas chromatography with infrared detection provided additional structure-IR spectra relationships. The underivatized amines and the perfluoroacylated derivatives (PFPA and HFBA) were resolved by capillary gas chromatography on a 100% dimethylpolysiloxane stationary phase. The perfluoroacylated derivatives showed better resolution on a cyclodextrin modified stationary phase.
Doi 10.1093/chromsci/49.5.345
Pmid 21549024
Wosid WOS:000289922200001
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Scopus URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79955783943&doi=10.1093%2fchromsci%2f49.5.345&partnerID=40&md5=0c3573f0d58caf4556cd2d08c0f540ea
Is Public Yes
Language Text English