title: Abuse of smoking methamphetamine mixed with tobacco: II. The formation mechanism of pyrolysis products.
abstract: The pyrolysis products of smoking methamphetamine mixed with tobacco were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods. The mainstream smoke contained methamphetamine (14.5% of the initial methamphetamine), phenylacetone (3.1%). N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine (1.9%), trans-beta-methylstyrene (1.7%), N-formylmethamphetamine (1.5%), and other products (each less than 1%). The amount of each pyrolysis product in the sidestream smoke was less than that in the mainstream smoke by a factor of over 5, except for methamphetamine (10.5%) and N-formylmethamphetamine (1.4%). The formation mechanism of these products was investigated, by use of a pyrolyzer, from the standpoint of the material, pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis atmosphere. Although several products (for example, dimethylamphetamine and trans-beta-methylstyrene) were formed by thermal self-decomposition of methamphetamine alone, most of the products, except N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine, were formed chiefly by the thermal reaction of methamphetamine with cigarette components. The formation of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine required air and a high pyrolysis temperature. Air and a high pyrolysis temperature generally accelerated the formation of the pyrolysis products.
authors.affiliation: Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Saitama Prefecture Police Headquarters, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sekine
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakahara
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D008745:Methylation; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013638:Tars / Q000032:analysis; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D013638:Tars; D008694:Methamphetamine; C003714:dimethylamphetamine