Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 24, Number 7, October, pp. 602-605

Here is where the title stuff goes

Veeravan Lekskulchai1, Karen Carter2, Alphonse Poklis1, and William Soine2,
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia and 2Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298

S-(+)-Methamphetamine is frequently found as the only isomer in urine specimens from methamphetamine abuseres. Enantiomerically pure S-(+)-methamphetamine can be synthesized from ephedrine or pseudoephedrine via chloroephedrine intermediates. These intermediates are unstable and capable of cyclizing to form cis- and trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl aziridine. Studies were done to determine if these intermediates could be detected when using a common gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analytical method (derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, HFBA) for toxicological screening of methamphetamine. Analysis of (+)- or (–)-chloroephedrine after extraction into hexane and derivatization with HFBA indicated that both pseudoephedrine and ephedrine were the major compounds detected. Direct derivatization of a hexane solution of cis-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl aziridine yielded only the derivatives of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, indicating that the aziridine intermediate is responsible for the formation of the ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. These studies indicate that the aziridine intermediates would not be detected in methamphetamine samples following HFBA derivatization.

Reproduction of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s permission.

| Home | Subscribe | Current Issue | Back Issues | Search | Advertise | Other Publications |