Isotopic characterisation of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (ecstasy)
James F. Carter, Emma L. Titterton, Martin Murray, Richard Sleeman
The Analyst May 14, 2002 DOI: 10.1039/b201496n via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAnalyzing the ratios of hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen isotopes (delta2H, delta13C, delta15N) in MDA and MDMA extracted from seized ecstasy tablets creates a distinct isotopic fingerprint for each batch. This fingerprint can link individual tablets to a common production batch. Combining these data with deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (2H NMR) analysis of the extracts may reveal information about the natural precursor materials and the synthetic pathways used to manufacture MDA and its N-substituted homologues.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Methodological study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Active ingredient Fingerprint computing Stereochemistry |
| Citations | 70 |
| Key finding | Combined isotopic analysis of MDA and MDMA from seized ecstasy tablets provides a fingerprint that can link individual tablets to a common batch. |
Abstract
Combined delta2H, delta13C and delta15N isotopic analysis of MDA and MDMA extracted from seized "ecstasy" tablets provides an isotopic "fingerprint" of the active ingredient allowing individual tablets to be linked to a common batch. Correlating these data with 2H NMR analysis of the extracts has the potential to study both the natural precursor materials and synthetic pathways used in the preparation of MDA and N-substituted homologues.