Quick Test for Determination of N-Bombs (Phenethylamine Derivatives, NBOMe) Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: A Comparison between Photodiode Array and Amperometric Detection

Abstract

The emergence of a new class of novel psychoactive substances, N-benzyl-substituted phenethylamine derivatives so-called “NBOMes” or “Smiles”, in the recreational drug market has forced the development of new sensitive analytical methodologies for their detection and quantitation. NBOMes’ hallucinogenic effects mimic those of the illegal psychedelic drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and are typically sold as LSD on blotter papers, resulting in a remarkable number of fatalities worldwide. In this article, four halide derivatives of NBOMe, namely, 2-(4-fluoro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, 2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, and 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine, were detected and quantified simultaneously using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, and two detection systems were compared: photodiode array detection (detection system I) and amperometric detection via a commercially available impinging jet flow-cell system incorporating embedded graphite screen-printed macroelectrodes (detection system II). Under optimized experimental conditions, linear calibration plots were obtained in the concentration range of 10–300 and 20–300 μg mL–1, for detection systems I and II, respectively. Detection limit (limit of detection) values were between 4.6–6.7 and 9.7–18 μg mL–1, for detection systems I and II, respectively. Both detectors were employed for the analysis of the four NBOMe derivatives in the bulk form, in the presence of LSD and adulterants commonly found in street samples (e.g. paracetamol, caffeine, and benzocaine). Furthermore, the method was applied for the analysis of simulated blotter papers, and the obtained percentage recoveries were satisfactory, emphasizing its advantageous applicability for the routine analysis of NBOMes in forensic laboratories.

Versatile additively manufactured (3D printed) wall-jet flow cell for high performance liquid chromatography-amperometric analysis: application to the detection and quantification of new psychoactive substances (NBOMes)

“…In our previous work, 37 an HPLC-AD method employing a commercial impinging jet ow cell (3.3 Â 6.0 Â 3.3 cm, ow chamber volume ¼ 8 mL, Metrohm UK, Runcorn, UK) was developed and applied for separation and quantication of the four phenethylamine derivatives (NBOMes), owing to the failure of the conventional voltammetric methods to separate them. In this study, we adopted the same HPLC-AD methodology for separation of the four drugs using our homemade AM/3D printed wall-jet ow cell and its performance characteristics were contrasted with those obtained from the commercial ow cell.…”

“…In this study, we adopted the same HPLC-AD methodology for separation of the four drugs using our homemade AM/3D printed wall-jet ow cell and its performance characteristics were contrasted with those obtained from the commercial ow cell. 37…”

“…ethanamine hydrochloride) were synthesised, at Manchester Metropolitan University in accordance with Elbardisy et al 37 Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (Scheme 1) was obtained from LGC GmbH (Germany) and was used as received without any further purication. All aqueous solutions were prepared with deionised water of resistivity $ 18.2 U cm.…”

“…Moreover, the analytical performance of the constructed AM/3D printed LC-AD ow cell was compared to the results obtained previously in our published report using a commercially available impinging jet ow cell for the electrochemical (amperometric) determination of NBOMe derivatives. 37 Lastly, the working electrodes that demonstrated satisfactory electrochemical performance and sensitivity were utilised for the quantication of the four NBOMe derivatives in simulated blotters.…”

The influence of lateral flake size in graphene/graphite paste electrodes: an electroanalytical investigation

“…36,37 An example of this is the application of graphitic screen-printed electrodes towards the detection of drugs of abuse such as heroin, fentanyl and mephedrone metabolites. [36][37][38][39] In terms of understanding the electrochemical properties of carbon-based electrodes, carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) are an easy, well-known, fast and low cost solution to prototype and benchmark different carbonaceous materials. 40 CPEs are mixtures prepared from graphitic powders with various nonelectrolytic binders, packed into an inert holder with an electrical connection at the back.…”