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Selective reagent ionisation‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry: a rapid technology for the novel analysis of blends of new psychoactive substances
Author(s) -
Lanza Matteo,
Acton W. Joe,
Sulzer Philipp,
Breiev Kostiantyn,
Jürschik Simone,
Jordan Alfons,
Hartungen Eugen,
Hanel Gernot,
Märk Lukas,
Märk Tilmann D.,
Mayhew Chris A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.3514
Subject(s) - chemistry , reagent , mass spectrometry , protonation , benzocaine , ion , molecule , chromatography , organic chemistry , immunology , biology
In this study we demonstrate the potential of selective reagent ionisation‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry for the rapid and selective identification of a popular new psychoactive substance blend called ‘synthacaine’, a mixture that is supposed to imitate the sensory and intoxicating effects of cocaine. Reactions with H 3 O + result in protonated parent molecules which can be tentatively assigned to benzocaine and methiopropamine. However, by comparing the product ion branching ratios obtained at two reduced electric field values (90 and 170 Td) for two reagent ions (H 3 O + and NO + ) to those of the pure chemicals, we show that identification is possible with a much higher level of confidence then when relying solely on the m/z of protonated parent molecules. A rapid and highly selective analytical identification of the constituents of a recreational drug is particularly crucial to medical personnel for the prompt medical treatment of overdoses, toxic effects or allergic reactions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.