A NEW CHROMOGENIC SPRAY REAGENT FOR THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF HEROIN (DIACETYLMORPHINE) .1.

A new specific and sensitive chromogenic reagent consisting of a 1:1 ( v/v) mixture of a 1% (w/v) aqueous solution of cupric chloride and a 1 % (w/v) aqueous solution of potassium ferricyanide has been developed for the detection and identification of heroin (diacetylmorphine). Her oin gives a dark brown spot after spraying with the reagent; it was in ferred from IR spectroscopy that the product was the result of complex formation. This reagent does not give positive reaction to the usuall y occurring adulterants such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methaqu alone, and caffeine, etc. The reagent is sensitive to approximately 1 mu g of heroin.