title: Chromatographic and mass spectral studies on isobaric and isomeric substances related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
abstract: A series of isobaric and isomeric molecules related to 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA) are prepared and evaluated as potential mass spectral equivalents to this controlled substance. These compounds have the potential to produce a mass spectrum equivalent to 3,4-MDMA, thus making mass spectrometry a nonconclusive method for confirming the identity of any one of the substances. The various isomeric forms of the methoxymethylphenethylamines and the methoxymethcathinones have mass spectra essentially equivalent to 3,4-MDMA, but the ethoxy substituted phenethylamines show a unique fragment at m/z 107. Gas chromatographic separation on nonpolar stationary phases successfully resolved these compounds from 3,4-MDMA, however only a limited set of side chain regioisomers and ring substitution patterns are evaluated in this initial study.
authors.affiliation: National Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory, 01370 Vantaa, Finland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aalberg
authors.forename: C Randall
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deruiter
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D007536:Isomerism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine