Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 20, Number 2, March/April 1996, pp. 116-120.
Identification of a-Phenylethylamine
in Judicial Samples
E. Meyer, J.F. Van Bocxlaer, W.E. Lambert, L. Thienpont, and A.P. De Leenheer
a-Phenylethylamine was recently identified in samples from several judicial cases using chromatographic (high-performance liquid chromatography–diode-array detection, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography–Fourier transform infrared detection) and spectrometric (nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques. In the first case, 1 kg of a white powder was found in a basement laboratory. It contained caffeine and more than 15% a-phenylethylamine. In the second case, two white powders were seized from a female. One powder consisted of pure amphetamine, and the other was a mixture of caffeine, amphetamine, and a-phenylethylamine. Four months later, a couple, who were known drug users, were found dead in their apartment. Urine samples of both victims contained large amounts of amphetamine together with a-phenylethylamine. Recently, 0.13 kg of a white powder and 0.30 kg of an orange powder were seized during a law enforcement operation. Both powders were mixtures of caffeine, amphetamine, and a-phenylethylamine. The data presented demonstrate the recent and unrelated repetitive occurrence of a-phenylethylamine in the circuit of illicit drugs.
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