A contribution to the chemical profiling of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 127; no. 1-2; pp. 1 - 44
• Main Authors: Gimeno, Pascal, Besacier, Fabrice, Chaudron-Thozet, Huguette, Girard, Josiane, Lamotte, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 25.06.2002; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: 3,4-Methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA); Alcohol; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography; Diethyl ether; Drug addictions; Drug Contamination; Ecstasy; Forensic sciences; Gas chromatography; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hallucinogens - analysis; Hallucinogens - chemistry; Hydrocarbons; Identification; Impurities; Ionization; Laboratories; Manufacturing; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; MDMA; Medical sciences; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - analysis; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - chemistry; Organic chemistry; Pharmaceutical industry; Profiling; Reproducibility of Results; Scientific imaging; Spectroscopy; Standard deviation; Tablets; Toxicology; Trigonometric functions; Europe; Gas chromatography; Profiling; Impurities; 3,4-Methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA); Mass spectrometry; Biochemical analysis; Illicit drug; Chemical compound; Quality; Exploration; Chemical composition; Tablet
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/S0379-0738(02)00122-6

A profiling method for the identification of impurities found in seized 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets is presented. Impurities of interest are extracted from an alkaline solution (pH 12.8) by diethyl ether and submitted to gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. Identification of impurities is performed by electron impact ionization (Ei) mass spectrometry and confirmation by positive chemical ionization (Ci+) MS or, when possible, MS/MS (MS2). Repeat extractions of the same sample give an average relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of less than 8% within the same day and 15% between days (results were obtained after normalization by the sum of peak areas, each one being acquired by selected ion monitoring (SIM)). Possible application toward batch comparison of samples is discussed. Chromatographic profiles are compared using the cosine function for evaluating similarity and/or dissimilarity among exhibits.