Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Some N-Alkyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines

Abstract

The liquid chromatographic separation of a series of low molecular weight N-alkyl derivatives of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) is reported. The N-methyl-, N-ethyl- and N,N-dimethyl-derivatives of MDA have appeared as street drugs in recent years. These compounds are becoming significant forensic problems due to their unique pharmacological properties and relative ease of chemical synthesis. These amines were synthesized via reductive amination of the corresponding ketone with alkylamines. The UV absorption spectra for these compounds produced almost equally intense absorbance at 234 and 285 nm. The compounds were separated by reversed-phase (C₁₈) HPLC procedures using a mobile phase of aqueous methanol at low pH.     

N-[11C]methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (Ecstasy) and 2-methyl-N-[11C]methyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine: Synthesis and biodistribution studies

In order to evaluate the neurobiological mechanism causing the psychogenic effects of methylenedioxy-derivatives of amphetamine, the carbon-11 labeled analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA),2 and 2,N-dimethyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MADAM-6)4 were prepared for application in in-vivo PET studies by methylation of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)1 and 2-methyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine3 with [¹¹C]CH₃I. The radiochemical yield was determined in dependence on time, temperature and amount of precursor. The best conditions for a fast labeling reaction with carbon-11 on a preparative scale were found to be a reaction time of 10 min using 1 mg of the corresponding dimethyl-precursors1 or3, thus obtaining radiochemical yields of 60% (based on produced [¹¹C]CH₃I). Biodistribution studies were performed in rats, a high brain to blood ratio of 7.5 was observed for [¹¹C]MDMA in contrast to a ratio of 3.7 for [¹¹C]MADAM-6.     

Liquid chromatographic properties and aqueous solution stability of N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine

The reversed-phase liquid chromatographic properties of N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (NOHMDA) were determined on a C8 stationary phase specifically prepared for the separation of basic compounds. NOHMDA and several N-alkyl MDA derivatives displayed excellent peak shape on this stationary phase without the need for competing bases such as triethylamine. The k' values for NOHMDA varied with mobile phase pH in the range of 2.5 to 6.0, but the retention of the primary amine, MDA, and N-alkyl MDAs remained relatively constant over this range. The pKa value for NOHMDA was determined by titration to be 6.22 compared to a pKa of 10.04 for MDA. Thus, the variation of k' with mobile phase pH for NOHMDA may be a result of appreciable changes in degree of protonation. The stability of NOHMDA was found to decrease with an increase in aqueous solution pH. At pH 7.0 the degradation half-life was determined to be 49.8 h, which decreased to 2.57 h at pH 10.0. Above pH 10.0 the decomposition to the corresponding oxime was too fast for a reliable half-life determination.     

Determination of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in Urine by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

The present study proposes a simple, inexpensive method for the identification and quantification of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its principal metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in samples of human urine utilizing high performance liquid chromatography with a UV detector. The optimized method presented adequate linearity, sensitivity, precision, selectivity, and robustness, thereby demonstrating its feasibility for adoption as a laboratorial option for the confirmation of the presence of the drug in urine samples from users.     

Liquid chromatographic and mass spectral analysis of N-substituted analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine

The C1 to C3 N-alkyl, N,N-dimethyl, and N-hydroxy analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) are identified by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and spectrometric techniques. The compounds are separated using reversed-phase procedures on C18 stationary phase with an acidic (pH 3) aqueous methanol mobile phase. The mass spectra of the compounds are distinctive and reference spectra are provided. The N-hydroxy derivative is unstable at high temperatures and decomposes to MDA and the oxime of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone.     

Stereochemical analysis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its main metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is consumed as the racemate but some metabolic steps are enantioselective. In addition, chiral properties are preserved during MDMA biotransformation. A quantitative analytical methodology using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine enantioselective disposition in the body of MDMA and its main metabolites including 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA) was developed. Plasma and urine samples were collected from a male volunteer. The analysis of MDMA, MDA, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy metabolites by GC/MS required a two-step derivatization procedure. The first step consisted of derivatization of the amine with enantiomerically pure Mosher's reagent ((R)-MTPCl). Triethylamine was used as a base to neutralize hydrochloric acid formed during the reaction allowing quantitative derivatization, which resulted in a substantial improvement in the sensitivity of the method compared with other previously described techniques. Further treatment with ammonium hydroxide was required since both amine and hydroxyl groups underwent derivatization in the reaction. Ammonium hydroxide breaks bonds formed with hydroxyl groups without affecting amine derivatives. The second derivatization step using hexamethyldisilazane was needed for metabolites containing phenol residues. This derivatization method permitted the stereochemically specific study of MDMA and its main monohydroxylated metabolites by GC/MS. A detailed study of the chemical reactions involved in the derivatization steps was indispensable to develop a straightforward, sensitive, and reproducible method for the analysis of the parent drug compound and its metabolites.     

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and metabolites disposition in blood and plasma following controlled oral administration

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit phenethylamine ingested for entactogenic and euphoric effects. Although blood is more commonly submitted for forensic analysis, previous human MDMA pharmacokinetics research focused on plasma data; no direct blood–plasma comparisons were drawn. Blood and plasma specimens from 50 healthy adult volunteers (33 males, 17 females, 36 African-American) who ingested recreational 1.0 and 1.6 mg/kg MDMA doses were quantified for MDMA and metabolites 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA) by two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Specimens were collected up to 3 h post-dose and evaluated for maximum concentration (C _max), first detection time (t _first), time of C _max (t _max), and 3-h area under the curve (AUC_0–3 h); as well as blood metabolite ratios and blood/plasma ratios. Median blood MDMA and MDA C _max were significantly greater (p?<?0.0005) than in plasma, but HMMA was significantly less (p?<?0.0005). HMA was detected in few blood specimens, at low concentrations. Nonlinear pharmacokinetics were not observed for MDMA or MDA in this absorptive phase, but HMMA C _max and AUC_0–3 h were similar for both doses despite the 1.6-fold dose difference. Blood MDA/MDMA and MDA/HMMA significantly increased (p?<?0.0001) over the 3-h time course, and HMMA/MDMA significantly decreased (p?<?0.0001). Blood MDMA C _max was significantly greater in females (p?=?0.010) after the low dose only. Low-dose HMMA AUC_0–3 h was significantly decreased in females’ blood and plasma (p?=?0.027) and in African-Americans’ plasma (p?=?0.035). These data provide valuable insight into MDMA blood–plasma relationships for forensic interpretation and evidence of sex- and race-based differential metabolism and risk profiles.

GC-MS identification of amine-solvent condensation products formed during analysis of drugs of abuse.

The use of methanol or ethanol as the injection solvent for the gas chromatographic-mass spectral (GC-MS) analysis of low molecular weight amine drugs of abuse results in the formation of additional components in the sample. Primary amines, such as amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, and phenethylamine, yield imines upon injection as methanol or ethanol solutions. In methanol, the imine formed has a mass that is 12 mass units higher than the parent compound. In ethanol, the products formed have 26 additional mass units. Secondary amines appear to undergo methylation under similar conditions with methanol as the injection solvent. These products are absent from the analysis of equivalent amine samples dissolved in chloroform.     

Liquid Chromatographic and Spectral Methods for the Differentiation of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) from Regioisomeric Phenethylamines

Abstract

The analytical profiles are described for four amines, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and three isomeric phen-ethylamines of MW = 193. These four amines all contain an identical 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl moiety, thus the regioisomerism is within the carbon-carbon bond located alpha to the amine. Therefore these phenethylamines are regioisomeric within the imine fragment (m/z = 58) which is the base peak in the electron impact mass spectrum of MDMA. The ultraviolet absorption spectra for these compounds show the characteristic methylenedioxyphenyl group absorption bands in the 235 to 280 nm range. These amines may best be differentiated by chromatographic separation and are well resolved by liquid chromatographic techniques. The four regioisomeric amines were separated using an isocratic reversed-phase system consisting of a C₁₈ stationary phase and an acidic (pH) mobile phase. The elution order under these conditions appears to parallel the length of the carbon chain attached to the aromatic ring.     

Enantioselective Analysis of Amphetamine-Related Designer Drugs in Body Fluids Using Liquid Chromatography and Solid-Phase Derivatization

A method for the enantioselective determination of the amphetamine-derived designer drugs 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE) based on their derivatization with (-)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate (FLEC) is described. The proposed procedure entails preconcentration and derivatization of the analytes into C₁₈-packed solid-phase extraction cartridges, chromatographic separation of the diastereomers originated in a C₁₈ column under gradient elution, and UV detection at 265 nm. Compared with the solution derivatization approach the described procedure increased analyte responses by factors of 28–58. The reliability of the method has been tested by analysing plasma and urine samples spiked with the analytes in the 0.015–1.0 μg mL^?1 concentration interval. The proposed conditions provided adequate linearity, and coefficients of variation ranging from 5% to 14% in plasma, and from 3% to 12% in urine. The recoveries of the analytes were of 78%–126% and 78%–128% in plasma and urine, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) obtained for all the analytes were 5 ng mL^?1 in both biological matrices.     

Simultaneous enantiomeric determination of MDMA and its phase I and phase II metabolites in urine by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with chiral derivatization

A liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) procedure was developed for the simultaneous determination of enantiomers of the prevalent designer drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its phase I and phase II metabolites in urine with chiral derivatization. The analytes in urine were directly derivatized with chiral Marfey’s reagent, N ^α- (5-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)-d-leucinamide, without extraction. The diastereomers of the N ^α-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-d-leucinamide derivatives generated were determined by LC-MS/MS. Satisfactory chromatographic separation was achieved for the enantiomers of MDMA and its metabolites 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), HMMA glucuronide, and HMMA sulfate on a semimicro octadecylsilane column using linear gradient elution. With use of multiple reaction monitoring mode, the limits of detection of these analytes ranged from 0.01 to 0.03?μg/mL. Linear calibration curves were obtained for all enantiomers from 0.1 to 20?μg/mL in urine. The method showed sufficient reproducibility and quantitative ability. This is the first report of a simple LC-MS/MS-based analytical procedure with direct chiral derivatization in aqueous media that allows simultaneous enantiomeric determination of drugs and their metabolites, including glucuronide and sulfate derivatives.     

Liquid Chromatographic and Mass Spectral Analysis of 1-(3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-ethanamines: Homologues of 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamines

Abstract

The deletion of a methylene unit from the arylamine side chain of the 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDAs) produces the homologous 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-ethanamines. These ethanamines were prepared via reductive amination of the corresponding ketone with a series of N-alkylamines. Analytical methods were developed to distinguish these compounds from the MDA series. The ethanamines were separated under reversed-phase1 iquid chromatographic conditions using a c18 stationary phase and a mobile phase of aqueous acidic (pH3) acetonitrite containing triethylamine. The electron impact mass spectra of the ethanamines were determined by GC-MS and the fragmentation pattern clearly distinguishes these compounds from those of the MDA series having the same molecular weight.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of methoxy-substituted phenylthienylnicotinamidines

Abstract

Five thienylnicotinamidine derivatives 5a–e were prepared from their corresponding nicotinonitriles 3a–e on treatment with lithium trimethylsilylamide [LiN(TMS)₂] followed by hydrolysis using ethanolic/HCl (gas). The nicotinonitriles 3a–e were prepared via Suzuki coupling reaction of bromothienyl derivative 1 with the appropriate phenylboronic acids 2a–e. The DFT calculation was used to optimize the geometric structure of the newly synthesized nicotinamidines. The comparison of DFT/B3LYP calculated spectral data (¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR) with the experimental data showed acceptable agreement. Mass fragmentation patterns of 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl, and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl thienylnicotinamidine derivatives were investigated.     

水溶性稠杂环均三唑并噻二唑体系的合成及生物活性(I): 哌嗪取代衍生物

4-氨基-5-吡啶-4-基-均三唑硫醇(1)在复合催化剂DMAP和TBAB作用下与对卤代苯甲酸经环缩合反应以高收率得到中间体6-(5-氯-3-甲基-1-取代苯基-1H-吡唑-4-基)-3-吡啶-3-基-均三唑并[3,4-b][1,3,4]噻二唑(2a～2c), 接着苯环卤原子与取代哌嗪在聚乙二醇催化作用下发生亲核取代反应得到相应的哌嗪游离碱(3a～3c). 其中, 单取代哌嗪游离碱3a与含功能基的卤代物缩合得到功能基取代的哌嗪衍生物(4a～4g). 这些产生的游离碱与盐酸反应得到相应的水溶性盐酸盐. 所合成新化合物的结构经元素分析和光谱数据表征, 并评价了它们的体外抗菌活性及构效关系.     

Determination of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine enantiomers in whole blood

A method for the determination of the enantiomeric content of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in microsamples (200 microliters) of whole blood is described. The method involves liquid-liquid extraction of MDA and MDMA from blood and derivatization with the chiral reagent N-trifluoroacetyl-L-prolyl chloride. Separation, identification and quantitation of diastereomeric derivatives is by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The analytical range of the assay is from 0.12 ng to 48 ng injected on-column. Details for the synthesis of the enantiomers of MDMA are also provided.     

Separation of the enantiomers of primary and secondary amphetamines by liquid chromatography after derivatization with (−)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate

Summary The chiral reagent (−)-1-(9-fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate (FLEC) has been evaluated for the enantioselective analysis of amphetamines by liquid chromatography. For separation of the FLEC diastereomers conventional reversed-phase conditions were used. The conditions affording the best enantiomeric resolution and sensitivity were determined for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE). All the amphetamines assayed could be separated with resolution factors ranging from 0.91 to 1.92. Although FLEC is typically used as a fluorogenic reagent, it was shown that UV detection is the best option for stereospecific analysis of the methylenedioxylated amphetamine derivatives (MDA, MDMA, and MDE), because different fluorimetric responses were obtained for the corresponding diastereomers. The utility of the proposed conditions for stereoselective analysis of amphetamines in different types of sample is discussed.     

GC-FID optimization and validation for determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and methamphetamine in ecstasy tablets

A methodology for the determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methamphetamine (MA) in seized tablets using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) is described. The chromatographic conditions, i.e. gas flow rates and temperatures for the column, injector and detector were optimized. The optimum chromatographic conditions were as follows: a CP-SIL 24 CB WCOT fused silica capillary column (30 m × 0.32 mm I.D., 0.25 μm film thickness), N₂ carrier gas flowing at 2.6 mL/min, injector temperature at 290°C and detector temperature at 300°C. The oven temperature was ramped from 80°C at a rate of 20°C/min to final temperature of 270°C (1 min). All analytes were well separated within 7 min with an analysis time of 10.5 min. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges of 3.125–200 μg/mL for MDMA and 6.25–200 μg/mL for MDA and MA (r > 0.990). The intra- and inter-day precisions for determining all analytes were 2.32–10.38% RSD and 1.15–9.77% RSD, respectively. The intra- and inter-day accuracies ranged from −19.79 to +17.51% DEV and −6.84 to +5.2% DEV, respectively. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQs) were 3.125 μg/mL for MDMA and 6.25 μg/mL for MDA and MA. All analytes were stable at room temperature during 24 h but significant loss occurred after 2-month storage at −20°C. The method was shown to be useful for determining the purity of MDMA in seized tablets.     

Solid phase extraction for GC-FID determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methamphetamine (MA) in human urine

A simple solid phase extraction method was developed for estimating the amounts of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methamphetamine (MA) in urine by using the GC-FID technique. The urine sample was alkalinized prior to undergoing solid phase extraction using Oasis HLB®. A 5% methanol-water mixture containing 2% ammonium hydroxide was used for washing, whereas a 70% methanol-water mixture containing 2% acetic acid was used for elution. The compounds were analyzed using the standard GC-FID conditions previously established for ecstasy samples, i.e., column: CP-SIL 24 CB WCOT (30 m × 0.32 mm i.d., 0.25 μm film thickness); carrier gas: N₂ (2.6 mL/min); injector temperature: 290°C; detector temperature: 300°C; oven temperature: initial 80°C, final 270°C (1 min), ramp rate 20°C/min. Validation demonstrated the linearity of the calibration curves between 1 and 20 μg/mL (r > 0.99) for all analytes. The precisions (% RSD) were approximately 3–17%, 6–16% and 7–17% for MDMA, MDA and MA, respectively. The accuracies (% DEV) were (?)17-(+)5%, (?)18-(+)15% and (?)18-(+)0.6% for MDMA, MDA and MA, respectively. The recovery ranged from 80 to 107% and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1 μg/mL. The method was successfully applied to determine the levels of these compounds in the urine of drug abuse suspects.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterisation of amphetamine-like drugs: application to the screening of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its synthetic precursors

A complete physicochemical characterisation of MDMA and its synthetic precursors MDA, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzaldehyde (piperonal) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-β-methyl-β-nitrostyrene was carried out through voltammetric assays and Raman spectroscopy combined with theoretical (DFT) calculations. The former provided important analytical redox data, concluding that the oxidative mechanism of the N-demethylation of MDMA involves the removal of an electron from the amino-nitrogen atom, leading to the formation of a primary amine and an aldehyde. The vibrational spectroscopic experiments enable to afford a rapid and reliable detection of this type of compounds, since they yield characteristic spectral patterns that lead to an unequivocal identification.Moreover, the rational synthesis of the drug of abuse 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”) from one of its most relevant precursors 3,4-methylene-dioxyamphetamine (MDA), is reported. In addition, several approaches for the N-methylation of MDA, a limiting synthetic step, were attempted and the overall yields compared.     

超声液相萃取-GC/MS-SIM法定量检测唾液中苯丙胺类毒品

建立了一种人体唾液中苯丙胺(AM)、甲基苯丙胺(MAM)、 3, 4-亚甲二氧基苯丙胺(MDA)、 3, 4-亚甲二氧基甲基苯丙胺(MDMA)毒品的超声波液液萃取-气相色谱/质谱-选择离子检测方法. 对萃取溶剂、萃取时间等参数进行了考查, 确定了乙酸乙酯为萃取溶剂, 在超声波下液液萃取2 min. 用该溶剂对添加毒品的唾液进行提取, 采用气相色谱/质谱-选择离子检测法(GC/MS-SIM)检测, 获得了良好线性, 相对标准偏差在15%内, 准确性均在80%～115%之间, 最小检测限可达0.05 μg/mL. 该方法未对毒品进行衍生化处理, 可用于缴获毒品及嫌疑吸毒者人体生物检材中苯丙胺类毒品的分析.