Distinguishing two isomeric mephedrone substitutes with selective reagent ionisation mass spectrometry (SRI-MS).
The isomers 4-methylethcathinone and N-ethylbuphedrone are substitutes for the recently banned drug mephedrone. We find that with conventional proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), it is not possible to distinguish between these two isomers, because essentially for both substances, only the protonated molecules are observed at a mass-to-charge ratio of 192 (C12 H18NO(+)). However, when utilising an advanced PTR-MS instrument that allows us to switch the reagent ions (selective reagent ionisation) from H3O(+) (which is commonly used in PTR-MS) to NO(+), O2(+) and Kr(+), characteristic product (fragment) ions are detected: C4H10N(+) (72 Da) for 4-methylethcathinone and C5 H12N(+) (86 Da) for N-ethylbuphedrone; thus, selective reagent ionisation MS proves to be a powerful tool for fast detection and identification of these compounds.
IONICON Analytik GmbH., Eduard-Bodem-Gasse 3, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
Matteo
M
Lanza
W Joe
WJ
Acton
Simone
S
Jürschik
Philipp
P
Sulzer
Kostiantyn
K
Breiev
Alfons
A
Jordan
Eugen
E
Hartungen
Gernot
G
Hanel
Lukas
L
Märk
Chris A
CA
Mayhew
Tilmann D
TD
Märk
D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D007536:Isomerism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000737:chemistry*
D015198:Designer Drugs; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007477:Ions; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine; C548233:mephedrone
PTR-MS; SRI-MS; designer drugs; mephedrone; new psychoactive substances