Chiral separation of 3,4-methylenedioxymeth- amphetamine and related compounds in clandestine tablets and urine samples by capillary electrophoresis/fluorescence spectroscopy

The R-(-)- and S-(+)-isomers of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) were prepared, identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and then used as standards in a series of capillary electrophoresis (CE) experiments. Using these R-(-)- and S-(+)-isomers, the distribution of (RS)-MDA and (RS)-MDMA stereoisomers in clandestine tablets and suspect urine samples were identified. Several electrophoretic parameters, such as the concentration of beta-cyclodextrin used in the electrophoretic separation and the amount of organic solvents required for the separation, were optimized.     

Stacking and low-temperature technique in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Low-temperature and ambient-temperature nonaqueous stacking techniques in capillary electrophoresis (CE) are described for the first time. A low-temperature bath was used to control the temperature from ambient to subzero degrees, by which a novel hyphenated method, low-temperature bath-nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis stacking (LTB-NACE stacking) is demonstrated. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA) was determined at a concentration of 4.7 x 10(-6) M (at a 92.1% confidence level) by normal nonaqueous capillary zone electrophoresis (NACZE) and this was improved to 2.6 x 10(-8) M and 5.0 x 10(-9) M, respectively, when the NACZE stacking and LTB-NACZE stacking techniques were applied. The content of 3,4-MDMA in an illicit drug and a suspect urine sample was readily detected. Upon application of the LTB to the separation of isomers the resolution (R) for the separation of 2,3-/3,4-MDMA was improved from 0.6 (LTB, 22 degrees C) to 1.6 (LTB, -55 degrees C) and for (+)3,4-MDMA/(-)3,4-MDMA, from 0.4 (LTB, 25 degrees C) to 1.0 (LTB, -10 degrees C).     

GC-MS analysis of ring and side chain regioisomers of ethoxyphenethylamines

Mass spectral differentiation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA), a controlled drug, and its 2,3-regioisomer from the ring substituted ethoxyphenethylamines is possible after formation of the perfluoroacyl derivatives, pentafluoropropionamides (PFPA), and heptafluorobutyrylamides (HFBA). The ring substituted ethoxyphenethylamines constitute a unique set of compounds having an isobaric relationship with 3,4-MDMA. These isomeric forms of the 2-, 3-, and 4-ethoxy phenethylamines have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA; all have molecular weight of 193 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 58 and 135/136. All the side chain regioisomers of 2-ethoxy phenethylamine having equivalent mass spectra to 3,4-MDMA are synthesized and compared via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to 2,3- and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The mass spectra for the perfluoroacyl derivatives of the primary and secondary amine regioisomers are significantly individualized, and the side chain regioisomers yield unique hydrocarbon fragment ions at m/z 148, 162, and 176. Additionally, the substituted ethoxymethamphetamines are distinguished from the methylenedioxymethamphet-amines via the presence of the m/z 107 ion. Gas chromatographic separation on relatively non-polar stationary phases successfully resolves these derivatives.     

Chromatographic and mass spectral studies on methoxymethcathinones related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

The methoxymethcathinones are uniquely regioisomeric with the controlled drug substance 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA) or Ecstacy. The various isomeric forms of the methoxymethcathinones have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA. They all have a molecular weight of 193 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 58 and 135/136. Differentiation by mass spectrometry was only possible after formation of the perfluoroacyl derivatives, pentafluoropropionylamides (PFPA), and heptafluorobutrylamides (HFBA). Gas chromatographic separation on nonpolar stationary phases successfully resolved the three methcathinones from 2,3- and 3,4-MDMA as the PFPA and HFBA derivatives.     

Chromatographic and mass spectral studies on methoxy methyl methamphetamines related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

The methoxy methyl methamphetamines are a unique set of compounds having an isobaric relationship with the controlled drug substance 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA or Ecstasy). The various isomeric forms of the methoxy methyl methamphetamines have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA, all have molecular weight of 193 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 58 and 135/136. Mass spectral differentiation of 3,4-MDMA from some of the methoxy methyl methamphetamines was possible after formation of the perfluoroacyl derivatives, pentafluoropropionamides (PFPA) and heptafluorobutyramides (HFBA). Perfluoroacyl derivatization provided unique and characteristic mass spectral fragment ions when the methoxy group is substituted at the 2- or 4-position of the aromatic ring relative to the alkylamine side chain group. Perfluoroacyl derivatization did not offer any characteristic ions for discrimination of 3,4-MDMA from the 3-methoxy ring substituted methyl methamphetamines. Gas chromatographic separation on non-polar stationary phases successfully resolved subsets of the methoxy methyl methamphetamines, based on ring position of the methoxy group, from 2,3- and 3,4-MDMA as the PFPA and HFBA derivatives.     

A general approach to the screening and confirmation of tryptamines and phenethylamines by mass spectral fragmentation

Certain characteristic fragmentations of tryptamines (indoleethylamine) and phenethylamines are described. Based on the GC-EI/MS, LC-ESI/MS and MALDI/TOFMS, the mass fragmentations of 13 standard compounds, including alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 5-methoxy-alpha-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT), N,N-diethyltryptamine (DET), N,N-dipropyltryptamine (DPT), N,N-dibutyltryptamine (DBT), N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (DIPT), 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT), methamphetamine (MAMP), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (3,4-MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA) and 2-methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)butane (MBDB), were compared. As a result, the parent ions of these analytes were hard to be obtained by GC/MS whereas the protonated molecular ions can be observed clearly by means of ESI/MS and MALDI/TOFMS. Furthermore, two major characteristic fragmentations, namely and alpha-cleavage ([M+H](+)-->[3-vinylindole](+)) and beta-cleavage ([M+H](+)-->[CH(2)N(+)R(N1)R(N2)]), are produced when the ESI and MALDI modes are used, respectively. In the case of ESI/MS, the fragment obtained from alpha-cleavage is the major process. In contrast to this, in the case of MALDI/TOFMS, the major fragment is produced via beta-cleavage. The ionization efficiency and fragments formed from either alpha- or beta-cleavages are closely related to the degree of alkylation of the side chain nitrogen in both cases.     

Enantiomeric separation of synthetic 2,3-dihydroxy-3-phenylpropionate compounds by beta-cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis

A new capillary electrophoretic method was developed for enantiomeric separation and optical impurity analysis of three synthetic 2,3-dihydroxy-3-phenylpropionate compounds using native beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as chiral selector and borate as a background electrolyte. The separation was carried out in uncoated capillary (58.5 cm x 75 microm I.D., effective length 48.5 cm). The results showed that beta-CD as the chiral selector exhibited good enantioselectivity and the baseline separation was obtained at pH 9.8, 200 mM borate buffer containing 1.7% beta-CD at applied voltage 15 kV and capillary temperature 20 degrees C within 15 min. The precision of each tested compound was less than 1.0% at migration time and 5.0% in corrected peak area and the accuracy of the method was in the range of 98.7-105%. Furthermore, the developed method was successfully applied to the determination of the undesirable trace (2S,3R)-(+)-form impurity in the synthetic (2R,3S)-(-)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-phenylpropionate samples.     

GC-MS analysis of acylated derivatives of the side-chain regioisomers of 4-methoxy-3-methyl-phenethylamines related to methylenedioxymethamphetamine

The five side-chain regioisomers of 4-methoxy-3-methylphenethylamine constitute a unique set of compounds having an isobaric relationship with the controlled drug substance 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA or Ecstasy). These isomeric forms of the 4-methoxy-3-methylphenethylamines have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA, and all have a molecular weight of 193 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 58 and 135/136. Mass spectral differentiation of 2,3- and 3,4-MDMA from primary and secondary amine regioisomeric side chains of 4-methoxy-3-methylphenethylamines was possible after formation of the perfluoroacyl derivatives, pentafluoropropionamides and heptafluorobutyrylamides. The mass spectra for these derivatives are significantly individualized, and the resulting unique fragment ions allow for specific side-chain identification. The individualization is the result of fragmentation of the alkyl carbon-nitrogen bond, which yielded unique hydrocarbon fragments. The heptafluorobutyrylamide derivatives offer more fragment ions for molecular individualization among these regioisomeric substances. Gas chromatographic separation on relatively non-polar stationary phases successfully resolves these derivatives.     

GC-MS analysis of acylated derivatives of a series of side chain regioisomers of 2-methoxy-4-methyl-phenethylamines

Five side chain regioisomers of 2-methoxy-4-methylphenethylamine constitute a unique set of compounds having an isobaric relationship with the controlled drug substance 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA or Ecstasy). These isomeric forms of the 2-methoxy-4-methyl-phenethylamines have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA; all have molecular weight of 193 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 58 and 135/136. Mass spectral differentiation of 2,3 and 3,4-MDMA from primary and secondary amine regioisomeric side chains of 2-methoxy-4-methyl-phenethylamines was possible after formation of the perfluoroacyl derivatives, pentafluoropropionamides (PFPA) and heptafluorobutyrylamides (HFBA). The mass spectra for these derivatives are individualized and the resulting unique fragment ions allow for specific side-chain identification. The individualization is the result of fragmentation of the alkyl carbon-nitrogen bond yielding unique hydrocarbon fragments of varying mass. Gas chromatographic separation on relatively non-polar stationary phases gave essentially base line resolution for these compounds.     

The identification of 3,4-MDMA from its mass equivalent isomers and isobaric substances using fast LC-ESI-MS-MS

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA, "Ecstacy") and its 17 isomers and isobaric substances are studied using liquid chromatography (LC)-positive electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (MS). 3,4-MDMA is a controlled substance, whereas in many countries the other studied isobaric compounds are not. A method for confirmation of the presence of 3,4-MDMA in drug seizures is developed and validated. Using single MS, the compounds produce an intense protonated molecule and some characteristic fragments; but tandem MS (MS-MS) is applied to enhance specificity. The MS-MS fragmentation is studied in order to distinguish 3,4-MDMA from the other 17 related compounds. However, the MS-MS spectra of 3,4-MDMA and six related compounds are very similar. Therefore, the LC-MS-MS method is developed for the unambiguous identification of 3,4-MDMA. The use of a monolithic column allows for 5-min gradient runs. This qualitative method is tested with 49 Ecstacy samples seized by the police. All results are congruent with the ones obtained with other methods.     

Chiral CE separation of dopamine-derived neurotoxins.

An enantiomeric separation of dopamine-derived neurotoxins by capillary electrophoresis has been developed. Tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ), dopamine (DA), (R/S)-1-benzyl-TIQ (BTIQ), (R/S)-6,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-TIQ (salsolinol, Sal), and (R/S)-6,7-dihydroxy-1, 2-dimethyl-TIQ (N-methyl-salsolinol, NMSal) were studied as model compounds. The CE running buffer (50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 3.0) contained 1.5 M urea and 12 mM beta-CD as a chiral selector. During separation, the (R)-enantiomers formed more stable inclusion complexes with beta-CD, and thus had a longer migration time than their optical antipodes. It was noticed that the recovery rates of these TIQ derivatives were very poor (< 15%) during protein precipitation, a procedure widely used for cleaning up biological samples. The recovery was significantly improved by pre-mixing the sample with a surfactant (e.g., sodium hexanesulfonate or Triton X-100) to reduce the co-precipitation. The present method in combination with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) was applied to study samples obtained from in vitro incubation of two catecholamines, dopamine and epinine, with aldehydes forming neurotoxins including (S)- and (R)-NMSal enantiomers. The later is known to induce Parkinsonism in rats.     

Enantiomeric separation of citalopram and its metabolites by capillary electrophoresis

A simple and fast capillary electrophoretic method has been developed for the enantioselective separation of citalopram and its main metabolites, namely N-desmethylcitalopram and N,N-didesmethylcitalopram, using beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) sulfate as the chiral selector. For method optimisation several parameters were investigated, such as CD and buffer concentration, buffer pH, and capillary temperature. Baseline enantioseparation of the racemic compounds was achieved in less than 6 min using a fused-silica capillary, filled with a background electrolyte consisting of a 35 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 supplemented with 1% w/v beta-CD sulfate and 0.05% w/v beta-CD at 25 degrees C and applying a voltage of -20 kV. A fast separation method for citalopram was also optimized and applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations. Racemic citalopram was resolved in its enantiomers in less than 1.5 min using short-end injection (8.5 cm, effective length) running the experiments in a background electrolyte composed of a 25 mM citrate buffer at pH 5.5 and 0.04% w/v beta-CD sulfate at a temperature of 10 degrees C.     

Chromatographic and mass spectral studies on isobaric and isomeric substances related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

A series of isobaric and isomeric molecules related to 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA) are prepared and evaluated as potential mass spectral equivalents to this controlled substance. These compounds have the potential to produce a mass spectrum equivalent to 3,4-MDMA, thus making mass spectrometry a nonconclusive method for confirming the identity of any one of the substances. The various isomeric forms of the methoxymethylphenethylamines and the methoxymethcathinones have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA, but the ethoxy substituted phenethylamines show a unique fragment at m/z 107. Gas chromatographic separation on nonpolar stationary phases successfully resolved these compounds from 3,4-MDMA, however only a limited set of side chain regioisomers and ring substitution patterns are evaluated in this initial study.     

Field-amplified sample stacking and nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis determination of complex mixtures of polar aromatic sulfonates

Nonaqueous CE and field-amplified sample stacking have been used in the determination of complex mixtures of polar aromatic sulfonates (AS; mainly benzene- and naphthalenesulfonates) of environmental concern. The analytical procedure consists of an on-column aqueous sample enrichment, followed by the nonaqueous electrophoretic determination of stacked aromatic sulfonates. Various organic solvents were used as separation medium, acetonitrile and N-methylformamide gave the best results. Optimum capillary electrophoresis separation is obtained with ammonium acetate (25 mM) dissolved in N-methylformamide-methanol (90:10) as background electrolyte. This combined method was applied to the analysis of surface water samples spiked with selected aromatic sulfonates derivatives.     

Chromatographic and mass spectral methods of identification for the side-chain and ring regioisomers of methylenedioxymethamphetamine

The popular drug of abuse 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is one of a total of 10 regioisomeric 2,3- and 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamines of MW 193 that yields regioisomeric fragment ions with equivalent mass (m/z 58 and 135/136) in the electron-impact (EI) mass spectrum. Thus, these 10 methylenedioxyphenethylamines are uniquely isomeric; they have the same molecular weight and equivalent major fragments in their mass spectra. The specific identification of one of these compounds (i.e., Ecstasy or 3,4-MDMA) in a forensic drug sample depends upon the analyst's ability to eliminate the other regioisomers as possible interfering or coeluting substances. This study reports the synthesis, chemical properties, spectral characterization, and chromatographic analysis of these 10 unique regioisomers. The ten 2,3- and 3,4-regioisomers of MDMA are synthesized from commercially available precursor chemicals. In the EI mass spectra, the side-chain regioisomers show some variation in the relative intensity of the major ions, with the exception of only one or two minor ions that might be considered side-chain specific fragments. The position of substitution for the methylenedioxy ring is not easily determined by mass spectral techniques, and the ultimate identification of any one of these amines with the elimination of the other nine must depend heavily upon chromatographic methods. The chromatographic separation of these 10 uniquely regioisomeric amines are studied using reversed-phase liquid chromatographic methods with gradient elution and gas chromatographic techniques with temperature program optimization.     

Silver (I)-Mediated Separations by Nonaqueous Capillary Electrophoresis: Nonaqueous Argentation Electrophoresis

This study represents the first application of Ag(I) charge transfer complexation in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis. This method applies the principles of argentation chromatography to nonaqueous electrophoretic separations and is termed “nonaqueous argentation electrophoresis”. Since the separations are performed in 100% nonaqueous media, the advantages of nonaqueous solvents, such as enhanced solubility and flexibility in selectivity enhancement, compared to an aqueous or mixed hydroorganic solvent, are realized. A variety of compounds were separated. Qualitatively, the separation of eleven sulfonamides in 100% acetonitrile is shown to improve greatly upon the addition of Ag(I). These results also show that nonaqueous argentation electrophoresis provides fast, well-resolved separations of compounds, such as N-containing heterocyclics, that can selectively complex with Ag(I). Migration data and separation selectivities of these compounds by nonaqueous argentation electrophoresis were compared to previous aqueous argentation electrophoresis results. Selectivities were found to be significantly different for the two separation media. Ag(I) complexation provides an effective means of manipulating selectivity in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis.     

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection: a case study of comparison with aqueous media

A novel method based on separation by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) combined with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed and compared with classic aqueous modes of electrophoresis in terms of resolution of solutes of interest and sensitivity of the fluorescence detection. Catecholamines derivatized with 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-Cl) were chosen as test analytes for their subtle fluorescence properties. In aqueous systems, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was not suitable for the analysis of test analytes due to complete fluorescence quenching of NBD-labeled catecholamines in neat aqueous buffer. The addition of micelles or microemulsion droplets into aqueous running buffer can dramatically improve the fluorescence response, and the enhancement seems to be comparable for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). As another alternative, NACE separation was advantageous when performing the analysis under the optimum separation condition of 20 mM sodium tetraborate, 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.1% (v/v) glacial acetic acid, 20% (v/v) acetonitrile (ACN) in methanol medium after derivatization in ACN/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (3:2, v/v) mixed aprotic solvents containing 20 mM ammonium acetate. Compared with derivatization and separation in aqueous media, NACE-LIF procedure was proved to be superior, providing high sensitivity and short migration time. Under respective optimum conditions, the NACE procedure offered the best fluorescence response with 5-24 folds enhancement for catecholamines compared to aqueous procedures. In addition, the mechanisms of derivatization and separation in nonaqueous media were elucidated in detail.     

Nonaqueous CE using contactless conductivity detection and ionic liquids as BGEs in ACN

N,N'-Alkylmethylimidazolium cations have been separated in NACE when one of the N,N'-dialkylimidazolium salts (ionic liquids (ILs)) was used as an electrolyte additive to the organic solvent separation medium. The separated species were 1-methyl-, 1-ethyl-, 1-butyl-, 1-octyl-, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium and N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium cations and BGE composed of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate [BMIm][FAcO] (A6; B2) diluted in ACN. It was demonstrated that contactless conductivity detection (CCD) may be applied to monitoring the separation process in nonaqueous separation media, allowing to use the UV light-absorbing imidazolium-based electrolyte additives. There could be marked three concentration regions of added ILs; at first ionic strength of BGE below 1-2 mM, and then the actual electrophoretic mobility of analytes rises from 0. At concentrations above 1-2 mM, the added IL facilitated separation. In concentration region of 1-20 mM, the actual electrophoretic mobility of analyzed imidazolium cations was increasing with decrease in separation medium ionic strength. At higher concentrations of BGE (above 30 mM), the conductivity of the separation media became too high for this detector. Some organic dyes were also successfully separated and detected by contactless conductivity detector in a 20 mM A6 separation electrolyte in ACN.     

Analysis of amphetamines in urine with liquid-liquid extraction by capillary electrophoresis with simultaneous electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence detection

Amphetamines including methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine were separated and detected by CE using simultaneous electrochemical (EC) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection (CE-EC/ECL). Factors that influenced the separation and detection performance, such as the detection potential, the pH value and concentration of the running buffer, the separation voltage and the pH of the detection buffer, were investigated. LODs of 3.3x10(-8) mol/L (0.16 fmol), 1.6x10(-7) mol/L (0.78 fmol) and 3.3x10(-8) mol/L (0.16 fmol) were obtained for methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, respectively. For practical application, a liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate procedure was developed for urine sample pretreatment and extraction efficiencies higher than 90% were obtained. The established simultaneous CE-EC/ECL was successfully applied for urine sample analysis.     

Rapid enantiomeric separation of polychlorinated biphenyls by electrokinetic chromatography using mixtures of neutral and charged cyclodextrin derivatives

Electrokinetic chromatography with cyclodextrin derivatives (CD-EKC) was used to achieve the rapid enantiomeric separation of chiral polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Thirteen of the 19 chiral PCBs stable at room temperature were individually separated into their two enantiomers by using 2-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer (pH 6.5) containing carboxymethylated gamma-cyclodextrin (CM-gamma-CD) as pseudostationary phase mixed with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) or permethylated beta-cyclodextrin (PM-beta-CD). Urea was also added to increase the solubility of PCBs and cyclodextrins in the aqueous separation buffer. Several experimental parameters such as the nature, concentration, and pH of the buffer, nature and concentration of the cyclodextrin derivatives used, and the addition of different additives were studied in order to improve the enantiomeric separation. In addition, the effect of some instrumental parameters such as separation temperature and applied voltage was also investigated. PCBs were enantiomerically separated in less than 12 min by using a 50 mM MES buffer (pH 6.5) containing 20 mM CM-gamma-CD, 10 mM beta-CD or 20 mM PM-beta-CD, and 2 M urea at a temperature of 45 degrees C and an applied voltage of 20 kV.