A survey of novel MDA and MDMA precursors by isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Cormick, Justin; Carter, James F.; Currie, Timothy; Matheson, Carney; Cresswell, Sarah L.

doi:10.1016/j.forc.2021.100341

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The MDP2P and MDA samples prepared in this study had δ 2 H values consistent with those previously reported for MDA/MDMA (as outlined by Cormick et al 15 ), suggesting MDP2P and MDA prepared from piperonal will not have a characteristic δ 2 H composition, and that δ 2 H cannot be used to identify piperonal as the source of MDA/MDMA. Minimal data are available for δ 2 H values of MDA/MDMA precursors, and other than the previous survey 15 no previous δ 2 H data have been reported for piperonal. As such, it is difficult to elaborate further on the potential use of δ 2 H to identify precursors of MDA or MDMA.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

“…From a previous survey of MDA/MDMA precursors, 15 the piperonal sample included in this study had a considerably more positive δ 2 H value compared to other traditional precursors. If this value carried through to the production of MDA/MDMA, δ 2 H composition could be useful when attempting to identify piperonal as the source of seized MDA/MDMA.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One example demonstrated how a connection was established between two seizures when no discernible differences could be found in δ 13 C and δ 15 N compositions. 8 In another example, variations in δ 15 N composition throughout a large seizure suggested multiple batches had been prepared. 9 This information can provide tactical intelligence information for law enforcement, which aims to establish links between seizures, samples and suspects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable isotope characterisation of 3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl‐2‐propanone and 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine prepared from piperonal

Cormick

Carter

Currie

et al. 2022

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Rationale Stable isotopic ratios can provide information for illicit drug profiling. The research presented here investigated the variations in stable isotopic ratios of hydrogen (δ2H), carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N) and oxygen (δ18O) during the synthesis of MDP2P (3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl‐2‐propanone) and MDA (3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine) prepared via the ‘nitrostyrene’ route. Methods Samples of MDA and MDP2P were synthesised from two isotopically characterised starting materials, piperonal and nitroethane. The isotopic compositions of the nitrostyrene intermediate (3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl‐2‐nitropropene, MDP2NP) and products MDP2P and MDA were also measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Results A significantly negative change occurred to δ2H values during the production of MDP2NP, MDP2P and MDA, indicating a mechanism that favours inclusion or retention of 1H over 2H. This suggests that the δ2H compositions of MDA/MDP2P prepared from piperonal will not provide information on the synthetic history. Minimal changes were observed in δ13C composition during the synthesis of MDP2NP, MDP2P and MDA, and minimal δ15N compositional changes occurred in MDP2NP and MDA. Progressing from piperonal to MDP2NP, a minimal change occurred to δ18O composition. A variable change to δ18O was observed from MDP2NP with one sample becoming more positive in δ18O composition and two samples becoming more negative. Progressing from MDP2NP to MDA, a significant negative change occurred to δ18O composition. Conclusions The changes to stable isotopic ratios observed during the preparation of MDA and MDP2P from piperonal may prove useful when attempting to compare batch‐to‐batch variations between seizures and provide information with tactical intelligence applications.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable isotope characterisation of 3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl‐2‐propanone and 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine prepared from piperonal

Cormick

Carter

Currie

et al. 2022

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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“…In addition to drugs’ growth environment evidence, IRMS analysis can reveal information related to residue intermediates and precursors, commonly found and collected from clandestine laboratories [ 17 ]. More recently, IRMS profiled MDMA and 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) precursors, previously reported in clandestine laboratories [ 18 ]. Significant differences in isotopic profiles were observed, leading to grouping and discriminating precursors, as well as MDMA/MDA synthesized from them [ 18 ].…”

Section: Chemical Profiling Of Illicit Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, IRMS profiled MDMA and 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) precursors, previously reported in clandestine laboratories [ 18 ]. Significant differences in isotopic profiles were observed, leading to grouping and discriminating precursors, as well as MDMA/MDA synthesized from them [ 18 ].…”

Section: Chemical Profiling Of Illicit Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

State-of-the-Art Analytical Approaches for Illicit Drug Profiling in Forensic Investigations

Ahmed

Altamimi²,

Hachem

2022

Molecules

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In forensic chemistry, when investigating seized illicit drugs, the profiling or chemical fingerprinting of drugs is considered fundamental. This involves the identification, quantitation and categorization of drug samples into groups, providing investigative leads such as a common or different origin of seized samples. Further goals of drug profiling include the elucidation of synthetic pathways, identification of adulterants and impurities, as well as identification of a drug’s geographic origin, specifically for plant-derived exhibits. The aim of this state-of-art-review is to present the traditional and advanced analytical approaches commonly followed by forensic chemists worldwide for illicit drug profiling. We discussed numerous methodologies for the physical and chemical profiling of organic and inorganic impurities found in illicit drug. Applications of powerful spectroscopic and chromatographic tools for illicit drug profiling including isotope-Ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were discussed. Altogether, the techniques covered in this paper to profile seized illicit drugs could aid forensic chemists in selecting and applying a suitable method to extract valuable profiling data.

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A survey of amphetamine type stimulant nitrogen sources by isotope ratio mass spectrometry

et al. 2021

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A survey of novel MDA and MDMA precursors by isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Cited by 7 publications

References 23 publications

Stable isotope characterisation of 3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl‐2‐propanone and 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine prepared from piperonal

Stable isotope characterisation of 3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl‐2‐propanone and 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine prepared from piperonal

State-of-the-Art Analytical Approaches for Illicit Drug Profiling in Forensic Investigations

A survey of amphetamine type stimulant nitrogen sources by isotope ratio mass spectrometry

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