Analysis of n-mono-trifluoroacetyl derivatives of amphetamine analogues by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

Abstract

N-mono-trifluoroacetylated (TFA) derivatives of amphetamine, methamphetamine and some analogues were prepared by on-column derivatization with N-methyl-bis (trifluoroacetamide) and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Several of the commonly abused phenethylamines were readily separated on a 10% Carbowax 2OM—2 % KOH on 80–100 mesh Chromosorb W AW packed column as their N-TFA derivatives. The direct probe chemical ionization mass spectra and GC—MS chemical ionization mass spectra are presented in addition to the GC—MS electron impact spectra. Most mass spectral fragmentation pathways were predictable and these are compared to previously reported spectra.