Establishing the synthetic origin of amphetamines by 2H NMR spectroscopy

Analyst. 2004 Feb;129(2):130-3. doi: 10.1039/b308749b. Epub 2004 Jan 16.

Abstract

Nine samples of N-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (N-acetyl-MDA), prepared according to the most common synthetic procedures, are submitted to (2)H NMR spectroscopy. The relative deuterium content at the various sites of the molecule is shown to depend on its synthetic history. The technique provides a chemical fingerprint of N-acetyl-MDAs and it can be used to trace back the precursor materials and the synthetic pathways employed in the preparation of the samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Deuterium / analysis
  • Drug and Narcotic Control / methods
  • Illicit Drugs / chemical synthesis
  • Illicit Drugs / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / chemical synthesis
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / chemistry*

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Deuterium
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine