Phenmetrazine or ephedrine? Fooled by library search.
Chemical and/or thermal conversion of analytes in a sample and/or GC injector can mislead the identification of analytes in a toxicological screening. In addition, library search can even more complicate the identification. The risk for false positive identification of phenmetrazine in an ephedrine-containing sample analysed by GC-MS is described. Ephedrine reacted with formaldehyde contamination in solvents to a compound with a similar mass spectrum as phenmetrazine. High injection temperatures influenced the formation speed.
Wille
Sarah M R
SM
Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Lambert
Willy E E
WE
D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010633:Phenmetrazine / Q000737:chemistry*
D004809:Ephedrine; D010633:Phenmetrazine