Application of SERS spectroscopy to the identification of (3,4-methylenedioxy)amphetamine in forensic samples utilizing matrix stabilized silver halides

Abstract

A method based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy was developed to meet the need for the reliable and rapid identification of illicit drugs such as the 'designer drug' XTC, preferably to increase the security of legal certificates. A matrix stabilized silver halide dispersion on a microtiter plate is used as the SERS-active substrate, providing an easy to use system for sample preparation and probing by means of a Raman microscope. The potential of the method is demonstrated by applying it to the identification of the psychoactive ingredients of drug containing tablets which were confiscated by the local police at techno-music events. The samples of interest were 26 different brands of XTC tablets and several pieces of evidence (powders) containing amphetamine. For reference, we show SERS and Raman spectra of pristine amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine.

Ab Initio Calculations and Raman and SERS Spectral Analyses of Amphetamine Species

“…9. It is also to be noted that the AMP spectrum fits very well with pre-resonance Raman spectrum, reported by Saegmüller et al [19], who also have found only two bands around 1000 cm -1 , in contrast to the many spectra claimed to be AMP in the literature, but actually must have been the sulfate (see discussion in section 1.1). Data for our spectral bands of AMP are included in Table 3.…”

“…Sägmüller et al [18] have reported a method based on chromatography in combination with SERS to detect and identify amphetamine and other illicit drugs. For reference use, it should be mentioned that other authors [19], [20] have shown pre-resonance Raman and SERS spectra of the free amphetamine base. Sulk et al [21] developed a procedure for derivatisation of amphetamine with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid to form an amide that could be detected and quantified by means of SERS spectra.…”

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy studies of organophosphorous model molecules and pesticides

“…As a consequence, the use of the SERS technique has been gaining increasing importance to analytical applications in areas such as environmental, 16 biological 17 and forensic chemistry. 18 Although organophosphorous compounds are widely used as pesticides and herbicides, SERS investigations of such a class of compounds are rare. 19 Such a class of compounds includes phosphines, phosphonates and phosphonothioates.…”

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

“…Although there are some reported studies on the Raman analysis of amphetamine-like compounds [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], these experiments have only focused on particular regions of the vibrational spectra.…”