Simultaneous analysis of 2Cs, 25-NBOHs, 25-NBOMes and LSD in seized exhibits using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: A targeted approach
Xue Wei Sarah Chia, Mei Ching Ong, Yuan Yuan Cheryl Yeo, Yanqing Joanne Ho, Edelia Izzati Binte Ahmad Nasir, Lin-Li Jaime Tan, Puay Yun Chua, Tiong Whei Angeline Yap, Jong Lee Wendy Lim
Forensic Science International May 24, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.036 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBlotter papers have traditionally been abused with LSD, but new psychedelic phenethylamines like 2C drugs and their N-benzylhydroxy (25-NBOH) and N-2-methoxybenzyl (25-NBOMe) derivatives now appear in the illicit market. GC-MS, the standard for drug analysis, fails for thermally labile 25-NBOH drugs because they degrade into 2C drugs during analysis. A non-thermal LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to simultaneously identify twelve phenethylamines, their derivatives, and LSD without thermal degradation. The method was applied to seized blotter papers and Ecstasy tablets.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Method development and validation Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Seized exhibits such as blotter papers and Ecstasy tablets |
| Keywords | Phenethylamines Chemistry Designer drug Tandem mass spectrometry Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key finding | A validated LC-MS/MS method simultaneously identifies twelve phenethylamines, their derivatives, and LSD without thermal degradation, preventing misidentification of thermally labile 25-NBOH drugs. |
Abstract
Blotter papers laced with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have been abused traditionally for their hallucinogenic properties. In recent years, new psychedelic phenethylamines such as 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines (2C) and their N-benzylhydroxy (25-NBOH) and N-2-methoxybenzyl derivatives (25-NBOMe) have emerged in the illicit drugs market. Traditionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is regarded as the gold standard for illicit drugs analysis. However, with the emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) which are thermally labile (such as the 25-NBOH drugs which undergo thermal degradation to their respective 2C drugs), alternative non-thermal techniques have to be developed in order to prevent misidentification. In this study, a single, targeted, non-thermal analytical method using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to simultaneously identify these new phenethylamines and their derivatives was developed and validated. Twelve phenethylamines and their derivatives, as well as LSD were simultaneously analysed using the LC-MS/MS in a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection mode. The method developed was validated and applied for the analysis of phenethylamines and their derivatives commonly found in seized exhibits such as blotter papers and Ecstasy tablets.