Supported liquid-liquid extraction of the active ingredient (3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine) from ecstasy tablets for isotopic analysis.
A method was developed for the isolation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) and other active ingredients from illicit ecstasy tablets. The method employed supported liquid extraction (SLE) with cartridges containing a modified form of diatomaceous earth. The method developed was simple and robust and the extract could be analysed directly, by GC-MS, to identify ingredients and reduced in volume for isotope ratio MS analysis of both delta(13)C and delta(15)N. The technique was shown to be highly reproducible, independent of the tablet matrix and considerably faster than existing liquid-liquid extraction methods. Crucially, no significant isotopic fractionation was observed as a result of the extraction process.
de Korompay
Alanna
A
Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Royal College, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW, UK.
Hill
Jenny C
JC
Carter
James F
JF
NicDaeid
Niamh
N
Sleeman
Richard
R
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000737:chemistry*; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D007554:Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007554:Isotopes; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine