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Segawa H, Okada Y, Yamamuro T, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Kanamori T, Iwata YT. Changes in methamphetamine impurity profiles induced by tert-butoxycarbonylation. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:1913-1922. [PMID: 37578270 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of impurities in methamphetamine (MA) can be used to characterize MA seizures, investigate the relationship among MA seizures, and provide information on their synthetic routes. Recently, chemically derivatized MA, such as tert-butoxycarbonyl (t-Boc) MA, has been seized and attracted attention because routine forensic analysis methods may fail to correctly identify them. Chemical derivatization is a simple method for protection and deprotection of a compound, and protection of MA using t-Boc can be used to mask the MA. Although t-Boc derivatization might alter the impurity profile of MA, the actual changes in the impurity profile have not been investigated. In this study, changes in the MA impurity profile with tert-butoxycarbonylation were explored. MA and some typical impurities were derivatized using di-tert-butyl dicarbonate and water. Analysis of the impurities in five MA samples by gas chromatography showed that peaks both appeared and disappeared for the deprotected MA compared with the original MA. However, typical impurities important for characterizing MA seizures were conserved after derivatization and deprotection. Most of the new peaks were speculated to be contaminants introduced during derivatization and deprotection. A peak giving a mass spectrum similar to that of t-Boc MA was detected in the chromatograms of t-Boc MA and deprotected MA. Although the origin of this peak was not determined, it might be a marker for the MA involving tert-butoxycarbonylation. These results indicate that tert-butoxycarbonylation can alter the MA impurity profile; therefore, care is needed when interpreting results for derivatized MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Segawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuki Okada
- National Research Institute of Police Science, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Kenji Kuwayama
- National Research Institute of Police Science, Chiba, Japan
| | | | | | - Yuko T Iwata
- National Research Institute of Police Science, Chiba, Japan
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2
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Gallagher R, McLaughlin MG, Blakey K, Wermuth UD, Boyd S, McGowan J. N,N-Diformylmescaline: A novel analogue of mescaline detected in Queensland. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:204-212. [PMID: 36245421 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
N,N-Diformylmescaline, a novel analogue of mescaline, has recently been detected in Australia in two unrelated seizures. To confirm the identification, a three-step synthesis from 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetic acid was devised. However, purification of the final product proved problematic with the compound prone to degradation in solution. Analysis of the compound by LC-MS indicated that the compound was unstable under acidic and basic conditions, breaking down to N-formylmescaline. Further degradation to mescaline was observed when the compound was dissolved in hydrochloric acid for an extended period of time suggesting that N,N-diformylmescaline may be a prodrug for mescaline. The GC-MS, NMR and FTIR data for the seized compound are presented along with details of the synthesis and studies of the compound's stability in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Gallagher
- Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (QHFSS), Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Karen Blakey
- Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (QHFSS), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Urs D Wermuth
- Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (QHFSS), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sue Boyd
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jenny McGowan
- Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (QHFSS), Brisbane, Australia
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3
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Park J, Hong S, Min S, Lee NY, Chung H, Han E. Awareness survey on drug crime scene investigation and drug detection kits among drug-related police officers. J Forensic Leg Med 2023; 94:102470. [PMID: 36610107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
This questionnaire-based study aimed to investigate the drug crime scene experienced by drug-related police officers and the perceptions of drug test kits by them before initiating the development of drug test kits to detect 16 types of drugs. The subjects were 57 drug-related police officers. Most of the respondents (96.5%) had <10 years of experience in drug-related work. Respondents were questioned about the drug scene investigation and perceptions of drug test kits. The questionnaire about drug test kits included the question on 'simple/rapid drug test kit' and 'electronic portable drug analyzer' regarding the disadvantages of existing kits and expecting features when a new kit is developed. First, in the on-site survey, the drug-related crime occurred at the suspect's house (47.8%), and methamphetamine (35.0%) and γ-hydroxybutyric acid (19.5%) were mainly found. In the awareness survey on drug test kits, most respondents (67.2%) had an experience of using 'simple/rapid drug test kits', whereas 17.5% for the 'electronic portable drug analyzer'. In the case of 'simple/rapid drug test kit', the false-positive rate reached 53.8% by a misinterpretation due to ambiguous color change (47.6%). The inaccuracy of the result (33.3%) was the most concern in 'electronic portable drug analyzer'. Respondents most favored pipette type for sample collector when a new kit is developed. In addition, they preferred the smaller kit with short detection times in both kit types. This survey could be applied to the development of efficient and practical kits for police officers working in drug-related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungmin Park
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Songhee Hong
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Innovation Drug Center, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sunyoung Min
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Yeon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesun Chung
- Department of Forensic Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eunyoung Han
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Innovation Drug Center, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Kakehashi H, Doi T, Wada M, Kamata T, Shima N, Miyake A, Nitta A, Asai R, Fujii S, Matsuta S, Sasaki K, Kamata H, Nishioka H, Miki A, Hasegawa H, Katagi M. Human and rat microsomal metabolites of N-tert-butoxycarbonylmethamphetamine and its urinary metabolites in rat. Forensic Toxicol 2021; 40:75-87. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-021-00595-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
N-tert-Butoxycarbonylmethamphetamine (BocMA), a masked derivative of methamphetamine (MA), converts into MA under acidic condition and potentially acts as a precursor to MA following ingestion. To investigate the metabolism and excretion of BocMA, metabolism tests were conducted using human liver microsomes (HLM), rat liver microsomes (RLM) and rat.
Methods
BocMA metabolites were analyzed after 1000-ng/mL BocMA incubation with microsomes for 3, 8, 13, 20, 30, and 60 min. Rats were administered intraperitoneal injections (20 mg/kg) of BocMA and their urine was collected in intervals for 72 h. Metabolites were detected by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with five authentic standards.
Results
Several metabolites including 4-hydroxy-BocMA, N-tert-butoxycarbonylephedrine and N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-cathinone were detected for HLM and RLM. In the administration test, three glucuronides of hydroxylated metabolites were detected. The total recovery values of BocMA and the metabolites during the first 72 h accounted for only 0.3% of the administered dose. Throughout the microsomal and administration experiments, MAs were not detected.
Conclusion
Hydroxylation, carbonylation and N-demethylation were proposed as metabolic pathways. However, BocMA and phase I metabolites were hardly detected in urine. This study provides useful information to interpret the possibility of BocMA intake as the cause of MA detection in biological sample.
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May C, Downey C, Power JD, Kavanagh PV. An unusual detection of
tert
‐butyl‐4‐anilinopiperidine‐1‐carboxylate in seizures of falsified ‘Xanax’ tablets and in items in a suspected heroin seizure submitted by Irish law enforcement. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:1387-1392. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Colette May
- Department of Justice and Equality Forensic Science Ireland Dublin Ireland
| | - Carol Downey
- Department of Justice and Equality Forensic Science Ireland Dublin Ireland
| | - John D. Power
- Department of Justice and Equality Forensic Science Ireland Dublin Ireland
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine Trinity Centre for Health Sciences St. James Hospital Dublin Ireland
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Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
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8
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Mayer A, Copp B, Bogun B, Miskelly G. Identification and characterization of chemically masked derivatives of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:524-537. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Mayer
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Mt Albert, Auckland New Zealand
| | - Brent Copp
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
| | - Ben Bogun
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Mt Albert, Auckland New Zealand
| | - Gordon Miskelly
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
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9
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Elliott SP, Holdbrook T, Brandt SD. Prodrugs of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): A New Challenge. J Forensic Sci 2020; 65:913-920. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon P. Elliott
- Elliott Forensic Consulting Birmingham U.K
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences King’s College London London U.K
| | - Tanith Holdbrook
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences King’s College London London U.K
| | - Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool U.K
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10
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Johnson CS, Bogun B. Chemical camouflage: illicit drug concealment using di-tert-butyldicarbonate. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1569135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. S. Johnson
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - B. Bogun
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Auckland, New Zealand
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11
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Collins M, Bhattarai A, Salouros H. Another chemically masked drug: p-
tosyl methylamphetamine. Drug Test Anal 2018; 10:898-905. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Collins
- National Measurement Institute; Australian Forensic Drug Laboratory; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Ananta Bhattarai
- National Measurement Institute; Australian Forensic Drug Laboratory; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Helen Salouros
- National Measurement Institute; Australian Forensic Drug Laboratory; Sydney NSW Australia
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12
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Sugie KI, Kurakami D, Akutsu M, Saito K. Rapid detection of tert-butoxycarbonyl-methamphetamine by direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicol 2018; 36:261-269. [PMID: 29963202 PMCID: PMC6002434 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-017-0400-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Phenethylamines constitute the majority of drug-related arrests in Japan. Recently, the smuggling of tert-butoxycarbonyl (t-Boc)-protected phenethylamines has become of increasing concern, because of the difficult identification of these masked substances. Methods In this study, a rapid and accurate method for the detection of t-Boc-methamphetamine (t-Boc-MP) by direct analysis in real time-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (DART-TOF-MS) was developed. The efficiency of the method was evaluated by comparison with conventional gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-TOF-MS (LC-TOF-MS) techniques. Results During GC-MS analysis of t-Boc-MP, MP was generated in the injection port, which can lead to an analytical error. In the LC-TOF-MS spectrum, fragment ions were detected, which were generated by McLafferty rearrangement in the ion source. On the other hand, in the DART-TOF-MS analysis of t-Boc-MP, pyrolysis could be suppressed by using a micro-syringe injection method, and the fragment ions generated by McLafferty rearrangement were still observed. Moreover, protonated t-Boc-MP could be detected. Conclusions Hence, DART-TOF-MS provides a rapid and accurate method for the detection of t-Boc-MP, allowing suppression of the pyrolysis reaction and identification of both fragment ions and protonated t-Boc-MP. To our knowledge, this is the first report for detecting t-Boc-MP by MS techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichi Sugie
- 1Narcotics Control Department, Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 1-2-1 Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8309 Japan
| | - Daisuke Kurakami
- Narcotics Control Department, Tohoku Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 3-2-23 Honchou, Aoba, Sendai, 980-0014 Japan
| | - Mamoru Akutsu
- 1Narcotics Control Department, Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 1-2-1 Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8309 Japan
| | - Koichi Saito
- 3Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501 Japan
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Collins
- Forensic Drug Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, Sydney, Australia
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14
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Power JD, Kavanagh P, McLaughlin G, Barry M, Dowling G, Brandt SD. ‘APAAN in the neck’ - A reflection on some novel impurities found in seized materials containing amphetamine in Ireland during routine forensic analysis. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:966-976. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D. Power
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences; St. James's Hospital; James's Street Dublin 8 D08W9RT Ireland
- Forensic Science Ireland; Garda HQ, Phoenix Park Dublin 8 D08HN3X Ireland
| | - Pierce Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences; St. James's Hospital; James's Street Dublin 8 D08W9RT Ireland
| | - Gavin McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences; St. James's Hospital; James's Street Dublin 8 D08W9RT Ireland
| | - Michael Barry
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences; St. James's Hospital; James's Street Dublin 8 D08W9RT Ireland
| | - Geraldine Dowling
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences; St. James's Hospital; James's Street Dublin 8 D08W9RT Ireland
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Sciences and Health; Dublin Institute of Technology; Kevin Street Dublin 8 D08NF82 Ireland
| | - Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Liverpool John Moores University; Byrom Street L3 3AF Liverpool UK
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15
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Brandt SD, Kavanagh PV. Addressing the challenges in forensic drug chemistry. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:342-346. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Liverpool John Moores University; Byrom Street Liverpool L3 3AF UK
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics; School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James Hospital; Dublin 8, D08W9RT Ireland
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16
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Kikura-Hanajiri R. [Changes in the prevalence of new psychoactive substances and their legal status in Japan]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2017; 150:129-134. [PMID: 28890474 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.150.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
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