Identification of fentanyl derivatives at trace levels with nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray‐tandem mass spectrometry (MSⁿ, n = 2, 3): Analytical method and forensic applications

Abstract

The identification of fentanyl derivatives at trace levels employing capillary electrophoresis coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (CE-ESI-MS(n) , n = 2, 3) is presented. The studied synthetic opioid fentanyl and its derivatives have an exceeding analgesic potency which can be up to 8000 times higher that of morphine. Apart from their therapeutical applications, there is an abuse of them in the drug scene as a heroin substitute. The identification of these opioids at trace levels is of further significant forensic interest with respect to recent seizures of clandestine fentanyl laboratories in Germany. In this work, a nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE)-ESI-MS(n) procedure was developed for the separation and identification of six fentanyl derivatives including fentanyl, cis- and trans-methylfentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil, and carfentanil. Their fragmentation pattern in MS(n) experiments were investigated as well as the influence of the sheath-liquid mixture and the influence of the inside diameter of the fused silica capillary on the peak shape and the signal to noise ratio. Method validation included determination of the detection limits (about 1-2 nmol/L) and the repeatability of migration time (at most 0.07% relative standard deviation). The NACE-MS procedure was successfully applied for the analysis of real samples from seizures in illegal fentanyl laboratories.

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry: A versatile, straightforward tool for the analysis of alkaloids from psychoactive plant extracts

“…But also trace analysis (e.g. wipe samples from contaminated surfaces) has to be conducted []. This needs instrumental setups, which are characterized by high flexibility, wide linear dynamic range, high matrix tolerance, speed of analysis, and short and easy optimization procedures and of course high selectivity and resolution [].…”

CE-MS in Forensic Sciences with Focus on Forensic Toxicology

“…Apart from their therapeutical applications, there is an abuse of fentanyl and congeners in the drug market as heroin substitutes. A NACE-ESI-ion trap MS n method, in positive-ion mode, was developed and validated by Rittgen et al for the separation and identification of six fentanyl derivatives including fentanyl, cisand trans-methylfentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil, and carfentanil [73]. This method was successfully used for the analysis of real samples from seizures of illegal fentanyl laboratories.…”

Recent advances in capillary electrophoretic migration techniques for pharmaceutical analysis

“…CE‐MS is certainly a powerful tool to characterize different biopharmaceutical products including mAbs, erythropoietin, human growth hormone, interferons, oxytocin, and insulin . The technique is also highly valuable to identify and quantitate the active ingredients in herbal preparations .…”