Liquid chromatographic determination of the enantiomeric composition of amphetamine prepared from norephedrine and norpseudoephedrine

The stereochemical course of the synthesis of amphetamine from norephedrine and norpseudoephedrine is investigated using liquid chromatography. The results show that the chiral carbon common to both compounds remains unaffected during the reaction sequence. The presence of individual amphetamine enantiomers in the reaction products is determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation on an achiral stationary phase (C18) following precolumn derivatization with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate (GITC). The GITC derivatization procedure allows for the liquid chromatographic separation of the individual enantiomers of amphetamine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, and the intermediate 1-chloro-1-phenyl-2-aminopropanes.     

Determination of amphetamine and its metabolite p-hydroxyamphetamine in rat urine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after dabsyl derivatization.

The consumption of amphetamine is illicit and controlled due to both the elicited behavioural deviations and the toxicity effects reported in abusers. Thus, amphetamine levels in biological samples must be monitored in several clinical and forensic circumstances. In spite of the interspecies differences in the preferred route of biotransformation, benzylmethylketone, benzoic acid and 4-hydroxyamphetamine are the principal metabolites of amphetamine. However, the clinical and forensic studies are focused in the parent compound and in 4-hydroxyamphetamine since benzylmethylketone is a minor metabolite in human and benzoic acid is also an endogenous compound. In the present study amphetamine and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyamphetamine, are quantified in urine by HPLC after derivatization with 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-4'-sulfonyl chloride (dabsyl chloride). This derivatization procedure transforms amphetamine and its hydroxylated metabolite in compounds with similar lipofilicity, enabling their quantitative and simultaneous extraction with an organic solvent. The precision of the HPLC technique was 7.3 and 10.0% for amphetamine and 4-hydroxyamphetamine derivatives, respectively. For the overall procedure, including enzymatic hydrolysis, derivatization and extraction of the derivatives, the obtained values were 9.3 and 6.2%. Recoveries obtained from spiked urines for amphetamine and 4-hydroxyamphetamine were better than 97% and 94% (mean value), respectively. The detection limits of the method was 10 ng for both compounds. The principal advantages of the present proposed method are the stability of the dabsyl derivatives at room temperature and the detection carried out in the visible region, reducing the interferences detected.     

Determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum via headspace derivatization solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study evaluates solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine trace levels of amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum. Headspace post-derivatization in a laboratory-made design with heptafluorobutyric anhydride vapor following SPME was compared with that without derivatization SPME. The SPME experimental procedures to extract amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum were optimized with a relatively non-polar poly(dimethylsiloxane) coated fiber at pH 9.5, extraction time for 40 min and desorption at 260 degrees C for 2 min. Experimental results indicate that the concentration of the serum matrix diluted to a quarter of original (1:3) ratio by using one volume of buffer solution of boric acid mixed with sodium hydroxide and two volumes of water improves the extraction efficiency. Headspace derivatization following SPME was performed by using 6 microl 20% (v/v) heptafluorobutyric anhydride ethyl acetate solution at an oil bath temperature of 270 degrees C for 10 s. The precision was below 7% for analysis for without derivatization and below 17% for headspace derivatization. Detection limits were obtained at the ng/l level, one order better obtained in headspace derivatization than those achieved without derivatization. The feasibility of applying the methods to determine amphetamine and methamphetamine in real samples was examined by analyzing serum samples from methamphetamine abused suspects. Concentrations of the amphetamine and methamphetamine ranged from 6.0 microg/l (amphetamine) to 77 microg/l (methamphetamine) in serum.     

Direct enantiomeric analysis of amphetamine in plasma by simultaneous solid phase extraction and chiral derivatization

Summary An analytical approach has been developed for the one step determination of enantiomeric amphetamine composition in plasma, using on-line, pre-column solid phase derivatization with reversed phase HPLC separation. The high molecular weight protein components were excluded by the small pore structure of the polymer and washed out of the reaction column before derivatization. Spiked amphetamine in human plasma was extracted and derivatized by the polystyrene based FMOC-L-prolyl solid phase reagent. The derivatized diastereomers were separated on a conventional ODS column with an ACN/H₂O mobile phase. No kinetic resolution or racemization was observed in this solid phase derivatization. Calibration plots and reproducibility experiments were performed to demonstrate the validity of the new approach. Automation of the procedure provided a simple and reproducible method for direct chiral recognition in plasma samples.     

Chiral determination of amphetamine and related compounds using chloroformates for derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography

The enantiomeric determination of amphetamine and various amphetamine-type compounds by liquid chromatography after chiral derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate-L-proline (FMOC-L-Pro) is reported. The results obtained were compared with those achieved after achiral derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate and subsequent separation of the derivatives on a beta-cyclodextrin chiral stationary phase. Conditions for the derivatization of amphetamines with FMOC-L-Pro were investigated, including the effect of the derivatization reagent concentration, pH and reaction time, using amphetamine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as model compounds. On the basis of these studies, possible conditions for the determination of each amphetamine are indicated. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed procedures, data on linearity, repeatability and sensitivity are given. Results of the determination of ephedrine enantiomers in different pharmaceutical samples are also presented.     

Automated pre-column derivatization of amines in biological samples with dansyl chloride and with or without post-column chemiluminescence formation by using TCPO-H2O2.

On-line automation of two different liquid chromatographic procedures, a pre-column derivatization system and a pre- and post-column system, in order to generate chemiluminescence is reported. Dansyl chloride (Dns-Cl) was used as a pre-column reagent to form fluorophores and bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate (TCPO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a post-column reagent to generate chemiluminescence. This procedure is based on the employment of a primary column packed with C18 material inserted in a multi-dimensional assembly for sample clean-up and derivatization with Dns-Cl. The dansyl derivatives formed are transferred and separated in a LiChrospher 100 RP18 analytical column (125 x 4 mm id, 5 microns film thickness) using acetonitrile-imidazole buffer (pH 6.8) (70 + 30) as eluent. The separated derivatives were transferred to the detector for fluorescence detection or to the post-column system where the chemiluminescence response was generated by using TCPO-H2O2 and the products were detected by chemiluminescence. The procedure was optimised for amphetamine and related compounds. A comparison between the on-line pre-column and pre- and post-column systems was performed. The results show that the sensitivity of chemiluminescence detection can be higher than that of fluorescence detection. The recoveries obtained ranged from 98 +/- 8 up to 108 +/- 8% for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively. The accuracy and precision of these methods were evaluated.     

Simultaneous determination of free-form amphetamine in rat's blood and brain by in-vivo microdialysis and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The determination of amphetamine in rat's blood and brain simultaneously by micordiaysis technique and HPLC/fluorescence derivatization is described. Microdiaysis is used to sample rat's blood and brain fluid and the amphetamine content is evaluated by HPLC/fluorescence derivatization assay. Dansyl chloride is used as fluorescence derivatization reagent. The detection limit, linearity and precision associated with this assay were evaluated. Pharmarcokinetic parameters of amphetamine in rat's blood and brain are also reported.     

Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of amphetamine in biological fluids using column-switching and on-column derivatization

Summary A rapid and simple liquid-chromatographic method has been developed for on-line quantification of amphetamine in biological fluids. Untreated samples (20 μL) are injected directly into the chromatographic system and purified on a 20 mm×2.1 mm i.d. pre-column packed with 30 μm Hypersil C₁₈ stationary phase. After clean-up the analyte is transferred to the analytical column (125 mm×4 mm i.d., 5 μm LiChrospher 100 RP₁₈) for derivatization and separation using a mixture of acetonitrile and the derivatization reagent (o-phthaldialdehyde andN-acetyl-L-cysteine) as the mobile phase. The experimental conditions for on-line derivatization and resolution of the amphetamine have been optimized, and the results have been compared with those obtained by derivatizing the analyte in pre-column mode. The method described has been applied to the determination of amphetamine in plasma and urine. Good linearity and reproducibility were obtained in the 0.1–10.0 μg mL⁻¹ concentration range, and limits of detection were 25 ng mL⁻¹ and 10 ng mL⁻¹ with UV and fluorescence detection, respectively. The procedure described is very simple and rapid, because no off-line manipulation of the sample is required; the total analysis time is approximately 8 min.     

Gas chromatographic separation of optically active anti-inflammatory 2-arylpropionic acids using (+)- or (-)-amphetamine as derivatizing reagent

A method is described for the derivatization of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory arylalkanoic acids (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, pirprofen, cicloprofen, tiaprofenic acid, etodolic acid) with optically active amphetamine. The usefulness of this reagent compared to alpha-methylbenzylamine is described. The enantiomers are separated as diastereoisomers using capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The procedure is readily applied to the quantification of the enantiomers in urine and plasma samples.     

9-Fluoreneacetyl-tagged, solid-phase reagent for derivatization in direct plasma injection.

We describe here a resin-based derivatization reagent, containing a 9-fluoreneacetyl tag on a controlled-pore substrate, for direct injection analysis of amphetamine in plasma. On-line, pre-column derivatization was performed by direction injection of diluted plasma sample into an sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing mobile phase. Amphetamine was trapped in the hydrophobic derivatization column and derivatized at elevated temperature by the activated solid-phase reagent. The derivatized 9-fluoreneacetyl amphetamide was separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with a step gradient and determined by fluorescence detection. The synthesis scheme, characterization, and optimization of the derivatization conditions for the solid-phase reagent are described. The method was evaluated by reproducibility tests and single blind spiking analysis. This solid-phase reagent combined with a surfactant containing mobile phase provided a sensitive and simple procedure for on-line derivatization in direct injection analysis of biological fluids.     

On-fiber derivatization for direct immersion solid-phase microextraction. Part II. Acylation of amphetamine with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride for urine analysis

On-fiber derivatization was used for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in order to increase the detectability and extractability of drugs in biological samples. Amphetamine, which was used as a model compound, was derivatized with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBCl) and subjected to gas chromatography with electron capture or mass spectrometric detection. Extraction was performed by direct immersion of a 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane-coated fiber into buffered human urine. On-fiber derivatization was performed either after or simultaneously with extraction. The former procedure gave cleaner chromatograms but the latter turned out to be superior with respect to linearity and repeatability. For the on-fiber derivatization of amphetamine an excess of reagent is required. Because a considerable part of the PFBCl loaded on to the fiber is used up by reaction with matrix compounds and water, a reagent loading time of 5 min was needed to obtain a linear range (r = 0.9756) from 250 pg mL(-1) to 15 ng mL(-1). Due to an interfering matrix compound, the limit of detection was also found to be dependent on the reagent loading time, i.e., the limit of detection for a PFBCl loading time of 5 min is 250 pg mL(-1) whereas that for a 1 min loading time it is 100 pg mL(-1). The relative standard deviation (n = 7) of the method was about 11% at an amphetamine concentration of 1 ng mL(-1). The applicability of the method for the determination of drugs in biological samples is shown.     

Fully automated determination of amphetamines and synthetic designer drugs in hair samples using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study describes a fully automated procedure using alkaline hydrolysis and headspace (HS) solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatographic (GC)-mass spectrometric (MS) detection of amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylendioxyamphetamine, methylendioxymethamphetamine, methylendioxyethylamphetamine, methylendioxyphenylbutanamine, and methylmethylendioxyphenylbutanamine in human hair samples. Ten milligrams of hair is washed with deionized water, petroleum ether, and dichloromethane. After the addition of deuterated internal standards the sample is hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide and directly submitted to HS-SPME. After the absorption of analytes for an on-fiber derivatization procedure the fiber is directly placed into the HS of a second vial containing N-methyl-bis(trifluoroacetamide) before GC-MS analysis. The limits of detection are determined between 0.01 and 0.17 ng/mg. Absolute analyte recoveries are in the range between 0.3% and 7.5%. Linearity is proven over a range from 0.1 to 50 ng/mg with coefficients of correlation from 0.998 to 1. In comparison with conventional methods of hair analysis, this fully automated HS-SPME-GC-MS procedure is substantially faster and easier to perform without using solvents. It uses minimal sample amounts and has the same degree of sensitivity and reproducibility.     

Derivatization techniques for automated chromatographic analysis of amphetamine usingo-phthaldialdehyde: A comparative study

Summary The potential of different chromatographic systems for automated, on-line analysis of amphetamine in biological fluids is illustrated. The various systems integrate analyte purification and enrichment, separation, derivatization in different derivatization modes witho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and fluorimetric detection. The reliability of the systems has been tested by analysing urine and plasma samples containing amphetamine in the 0.1–20.0 μg mL⁻¹ range. Pre, on and post-column derivatization strategies are compared in terms of their instrumental requirements, selectivity, sensitivity, linearity and reproducibility.     

Determination of amphetamine in dog plasma by gas chromatography with mass selective detection

This paper describes the validation of an analytical method for the determination of amphetamine in beagle dog plasma by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). d-Amphetamine-d(6) was used as the internal standard. The method consisted of a rapid single-step liquid-liquid extraction and derivatization of amphetamine with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, followed by sensitive GC-MS detection. This is the first report utilizing the combination of trichloroethyl chloroformate as a derivatization reagent and a deuterated amphetamine analog as an IS for the quantification of amphetamine in plasma. The method was validated in terms of specificity, curve fit, precision, accuracy, recovery and stability, and was acceptable according to FDA draft guidelines for validation of bioanalytical methods. The limit of detection was 0.65 ng/mL. The calibration range was 5-150 ng/mL. The validated method was successfully employed for the quantitation of amphetamine in dog plasma samples for pharmacokinetic profiling.     

Enantiomeric separation of amphetamine,methamphetamine and ring substituted amphetamines by means of a β-cyclodextrin-chiral stationary phase

Summary The enantioseparation of amphetamine, methamphetamine and various ring-substituted amphetamines by use of a chiral stationary phase carrying immobilized native -cyclodextrin (-CyD) selectors is reported. The system is evaluated for resolving the specified compounds directly without any derivatization and after derivatization with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC), naphthyl isothiocyanate (NITC) and 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC). This direct enantioseparation is compared with the features of indirect separation of diasteromeric derivatives after reaction with the optically pure Marfey's reagent employing a simple non-chiral alkyl-silica (RP-8) column. A selection of those methods best suited for each single amphetamine is given.Seventeen different samples of amphetamine, confiscated by the Swedisch police, were analyzed with respect to their enantiomeric composition. Within this set of samples synthesized by the same method no significant deviation from a racemic ratio could be observed.     

Common methods for the chiral determination of amphetamine and related compounds I. Gas, liquid and thin-layer chromatography

This article reviews the most common, useful methods for the chiral determination of amphetamine (AM) and AM-derived designer drugs in different of matrix, including blood, hair, urine, medicaments or standard solutions, taking into consideration articles published in the past 15 years. We consider chromatographic methods (e.g., gas, liquid, high-performance liquid, and thin layer). We describe several types of chiral derivatization reagent, mobile-phase additive and chiral stationary phase commonly used in the chromatographic methods. Tables summarize basic information about conditions (e.g., type of column and mobile phase), detection mode and reference data for each procedure.     

Chiral gas chromatographic assay with flame ionization detection for amphetamine enantiomers in microsomal incubates

A chiral assay for amphetamine enantiomers in rat liver microsomal incubates is based on derivatization with (S)-(-)-N-(trifluoroacetyl)-prolyl chloride (S-TFPC), capillary chromatographic separation of the diastereomeric amide derivatives, and detection by a flame ionization detector. The method is capable of detecting low levels of S- or R-amphetamine. The assay is linear from 5 to 250 micrograms/mL for each enantiomer, and the limit of detection is 0.5 microgram/mL. The analytical method affords the average recoveries of 77.53 +/- 5.22% for R-amphetamine and 74.47 +/- 3.08% for S-amphetamine. The method allows the study of the metabolic depletion of S- and R-amphetamine in rat liver microsomal incubates. The time-dependent concentration of amphetamine enantiomers in rat liver microsomes was determined, and the stereoselectivity of amphetamine phase I metabolism was observed.     

Analysis of deprenyl metabolites in some body compartments of rats using GC-MSD

Summary Deprenyl metabolites were analyzed in various organs of rats after chronic oral treatment. The investigation was carried out by gas chromatography combined with MSD after derivatization of the metabolites. When (−)-deprenyl (selegiline) was administered to rats higher ratios of methamphetamine to amphetamine were found in the kidney, and the heart at 1 and 5 h after treatment, than after (+)-deprenyl administration. Both deprenyl and its demethylated metabolite were also detected; however, their level was generally lower than that of either methamphetamine or amphetamine. Coadministration of verapamil with selegiline did not essentially alter the major metabolic pathway of deprenyl metabolism.     

Liquid chromatographic method for the determination of enantiomeric composition of amphetamine and methamphetamine in hair samples

Interest in hair analysis as an alternative or complementary approach to urinalysis for drug abuse detection has grown in recent years. Hair analysis can be particularly advantageous for drugs such as amphetamine and methamphetamine that are rapidly excreted. Confirmation of abuse of these stimulants is complicated by the fact that some forms are found in legitimate medications. Examination of the enantiomeric composition of amphetamine and methamphetamine in hair samples can provide valuable assistance in interpreting drug testing results. In this work, we developed a liquid chromatographic method for the separation of amphetamine and methamphetamine enantiomers isolated from human hair samples. The drug enantiomers were separated on a chiral stationary phase after derivatization with an achiral fluorescent agent. The methodology was evaluated with a Standard Reference Material that contained several drugs of abuse including amphetamine and methamphetamine.Contribution of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Not subject to copyright.     

Screening for and validated quantification of amphetamines and of amphetamine- and piperazine-derived designer drugs in human blood plasma by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The classical stimulants amphetamine, methamphetamine, ethylamphetamine and the amphetamine-derived designer drugs MDA, MDMA ('ecstasy'), MDEA, BDB and MBDB have been widely abused for a relatively long time. In recent years, a number of newer designer drugs have entered the illicit drug market. 4-Methylthioamphetamine (MTA), p-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) and p-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) are also derived from amphetamine. Other designer drugs are derived from piperazine, such as benzylpiperazine (BZP), methylenedioxybenzylpiperazine (MDBP), trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and p-methoxyphenylpiperazine (MeOPP). A number of severe or even fatal intoxications involving these newer substances, especially PMA, have been reported. This paper describes a method for screening for and simultaneous quantification of the above-mentioned compounds and the metabolites p-hydroxyamphetamine and p-hydroxymethamphetamine (pholedrine) in human blood plasma. The analytes were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the selected-ion monitoring mode after mixed-mode solid-phase extraction (HCX) and derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. The method was fully validated according to international guidelines. It was linear from 5 to 1000 micro g l(-1) for all analytes. Data for accuracy and precision were within required limits with the exception of those for MDBP. The limit of quantification was 5 micro g l(-1) for all analytes. The applicability of the assay was proven by analysis of authentic plasma samples and of a certified reference sample. This procedure should also be suitable for confirmation of immunoassay results positive for amphetamines and/or designer drugs of the ecstasy type.