Qualitative analysis of seized synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones by gas chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Designer drugs are analogues or derivatives of illicit drugs with a modification of their chemical structure in order to circumvent current legislation for controlled substances. Designer drugs of abuse have increased dramatically in popularity all over the world for the past couple of years. Currently, the qualitative seized-drug analysis is mainly performed by gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) in which most of these emerging designer drug derivatives are extensively fragmented not presenting a molecular ion in their mass spectra. The absence of molecular ion and/or similar fragmentation pattern among these derivatives may cause the equivocal identification of unknown seized-substances. In this study, the qualitative identification of 34 designer drugs, mainly synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones, were performed by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry with two different ionization techniques, including electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) only focusing on qualitative seized-drug analysis, not from the toxicological point of view. The implementation of CI source facilitates the determination of molecular mass and the identification of seized designer drugs. Developed multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode may increase sensitivity and selectivity in the analysis of seized designer drugs. In addition, CI mass spectra and MRM mass spectra of these designer drug derivatives can be used as a potential supplemental database along with EI mass spectral database.

Comprehensive Analysis of Emerging New Psychoactive Substances by Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry

“…Figure 35. EI full scan mass spectra for (a) CPE, (b) AM2233, and (c) AM1220 [133]. Similar mass spectra were observed for these compounds in EI full scan mode.…”

“…Figure 34. EI full scan mass spectra for (a) JWH-251, (b) JWH-250, and (c) JWH-249 [133]. Unambiguous identification of these compound is challenging in EI full scan mode because of the mass spectral similarity.…”

“…Figure 36. CI full scan mass spectra for (a) JWH-251, (b) JWH-250, and (c) JWH-249 [133]. The protonated molecular ion from each compound were observed with the characteristic ethyl adduct in CI full scan mode.…”

Identification and characterization of a putative new psychoactive substance, 2‐(2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)acetamido)‐3‐methylbutanamide, in Spain

“…[4,5] These products are typically known as 'legal highs'. [6] Synthetic cannabinoids are commonly sold as herbal blends or spices, replacing cannabis. [2,3] Synthetic cathinones and amphetamines are sold as replacements for stimulants, and have been reported in pills, crystal and sniff powder.…”

Direct analysis in real time ‐ high resolution mass spectrometry (DART‐HRMS): a high throughput strategy for identification and quantification of anabolic steroid esters

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Recently, androgen receptor-based bioassays have proved their ability to detect the presence of anabolic steroids in dietary products. In forensic laboratories, thin layer chromatography and/or hyphenated chromatography-mass spectrometry are now routinely implemented to identify and quantify compounds or components of seized materials.…”