Abstract
Some methamphetamine (MA) crystals contain pharmaceutical impurities resulting from the co-ingredients of medicines used for extracting ephedrine/pseudoephedrine. These pharmaceutical impurities and their related byproducts can reflect the trends in precursor chemicals and manufacturing sources. In this research, 1 pharmaceutical-impurity-related byproduct was detected in several seized MA samples synthesized by I/P (Nagai, Moscow, or Hypo) method. Its structure was postulated through the analysis of fragment ions in electron ionization (EI) mass spectrum. The impurity was further synthesized and analyzed using electrospray ionization-collision-induced dissociation (ESI-CID) mass spectrum and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and finally determined to be N1 ,N1 ,N2 -trimethyl-N2 -(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine. The impurity was inferred to be generated by the reaction of MA and the breakdown of diphenhydramine, a co-ingredient of medicines used for extracting ephedrine/pseudoephedrine. Simulation MA synthetic experiments via Nagai, Moscow, and Hypo methods using ephedrine and diphenhydramine as starting materials were performed to prove our presumption. The presence of the impurity indicates that these MA samples were manufactured from pharmaceutical containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
