Efficiency of Capillary Column Gas Chromatography in Separating Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and Lysergic Acid Methylpropylamide (LAMPA)

A routine, time-efficient method using methyl silicone fused silica capillary columns separates lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from lysergic acid methylpropylamide (LAMPA) for forensic drug analysis. The capillary system's efficiency and the inertness of the fused silica column and injection port liner provide a powerful and flexible solution to the common courtroom question of how to distinguish the two compounds.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract A question frequently asked of forensic drug chemists when they go to court on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) cases is, “How do you know this sample was not lysergic acid methylpropylamide (LAMPA) instead of LSD?” There are chromatographic means of separating the two compounds, but some of these are not very chromatographically efficient and others require time-consuming preparation of the chromatographic system. The separation on methyl silicone fused silica capillary columns described here can be performed routinely in a very time effective manner. One of the more interesting aspects of this work is the efficiency of the capillary system in this application. This combined with the inertness of the fused silica column and injection port liner, makes a very powerful and flexible means for addressing the separation problem and providing an answer to the original question.