Discrimination of structural isomers of amphetamine using carbon dioxide negative‐ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Thurbide, Kevin B. | Elson, C.M.^; | Sim, P.G.

Affiliations: Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, N.S., B3H 3C3, Canada Tel.: +1 902 420 5653; Fax: +1 902 496 8104; E‐mail: celson@ shark.stmarys.ca | Institute of Marine Biosciences, National Research Council of Canada, 1411 Oxford St., Halifax, N.S., B3H 3Z1, Canada

Note: [] Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract: The negative‐ion chemical ionization mass spectra of a group of structural isomers of amphetamine have been studied using carbon dioxide as the reagent gas. Characteristic and reproducible differences are observed for each member of the set implying that this technique offers a means of distinguishing among groups of amphetamine isomers. Characteristic adducts to the molecular ion are observed in the form (M–[H]+[O]) and (M–[H]+[CO2]). Descriptions of some fragments are given based on the mass spectral behaviour of a set of analogue compounds and the results of oxygen‐18 labelled carbon dioxide reagent gas experiments. Contents of the carbon dioxide plasma and their impact on various analytes is also discussed.

Keywords: Amphetamine, carbon dioxide, chemical ionization, isomers, negative‐ion

Journal: Spectroscopy, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 151-161, 1997