Organic impurity profiling of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets seized in The Netherlands.
In this study, a new method was developed for the impurity profiling of illicit MDMA tablets. The extraction efficiency, linearity, repeatability and reproducibility of the method were evaluated. Eighty two MDMA tablets coming from presumed unrelated large seizures in 2004 (n >500 tablets) were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to assess the discrimination power of the method. The latter was found to be practical, robust, relatively easy to perform, highly discriminative and yielding good chromatography. In addition, some new impurities were detected and identified. Their chemical structures and mass spectra are reported.
van Deursen
M M
MM
Netherlands Forensic Institute, P.O. Box 24044, 2490AA The Hague, The Netherlands.
Lock
E R A
ER
Poortman-van der Meere
A J
AJ
D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000737:chemistry*; D009426:Netherlands; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013607:Tablets
D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D012997:Solvents; D013607:Tablets; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine