Identification of 1-Butyl-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (1B-LSD) in Seized Blotter Paper Using an Integrated Workflow of Analytical Techniques and Chemo-Informatics

A single blotter paper seized by Swedish customs was analyzed using a combination of advanced analytical techniques and chemo-informatics tools, leading to the identification of a novel lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) derivative, 1-butyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1B-LSD). This substance, closely related to 1-propionyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1P-LSD), had recently appeared on the drug street market. The identification was achieved by integrating gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry, Orbitrap-MS, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, with all data managed and evaluated through a chemo-informatics platform. The work demonstrates a workflow for identifying new psychoactive substances when sample quantity is limited or the matrix is complex.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The rapid dispersion of new psychoactive substances (NPS) presents challenges to customs services and analytical laboratories, which are involved in their detection and characterization. When the seized material is limited in quantity or of a complex nature, or when the target substance is present in very small amounts, the need to use advanced analytical techniques, efficient workflows and chemo-informatics tools is essential for the complete identification and elucidation of these substances. The current work describes the application of such a workflow in the analysis of a single blotter paper, seized by Swedish customs, that led to the identification of a lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) derivative, 1-butyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1B-LSD). Such blotter paper generally contains an amount in the range of 30–100 ug. This substance, which is closely related to 1-propionyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1P-LSD), seems to have only recently reached the drug street market. Its identification was made possible by comprehensively combining gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC–MS), liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem MS (LC–HR-MS/MS), Orbitrap-MS and both 1D and 2D nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. All the obtained data have been managed, assessed, processed and evaluated using a chemo-informatics platform to produce the effective chemical and structural identification of 1B-LSD in the seized material.