Comprehensive Analysis and Structural Estimation of Synthetic Cathinones Using GC-MS/MS

• DOI: 10.3408/jafst.719
• Publication Date: 2017-02-09T22:09:31Z
• Authors: Shuntaro Matsuta; Hidenao Kakehashi; Shihoko Nakano; Noriaki Shima; Tooru Kamata; Hiroshi Nishioka; Akihiro Miki; Yuki Sakamoto; Haruhiko Miyagawa; Maiko Kusano; Kei Zaitsu; Hitoshi Tsuchihashi; Munehiro Katagi
• Keywords: Iminium; Cathinone; Structural isomer; Methylenedioxy; Tandem

In this study, we describe a rapid gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analytical method that allows comprehensive detection and structural elucidation of synthetic cathinone-type designer drugs. Our proposed consists three simultaneous procedures: 1) selective the carbonyl group characteristic to each cathinone examined via selected reaction monitoring (SRM); determination both 2) iminium cations 3) substituted benzoyl generated α-cleavage their corresponding amines ketone moieties product ion scanning, respectively. One peak was detected in SRM chromatogram for all cathinones procedure 1), as well relevant single peaks total current chromatograms resulted from procedures at same retention time. showed transition phenyl due CO elimination, revealing presence groups within structures. Each spectrum cation allowed which on aromatic ring differentiation between positional isomers ethyl, methoxy methylenedioxy substitution. However, identification substitution positions methyl, bromine fluorine difficult. On other hand, differences spectra were clearly identifiable, allowing easy discrimination isomers.