ION-TRAP MASS-SPECTROMETRY FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF N-METHYL-1-(3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYPHENYL)-2-BUTANAMINE AND N-ETHYL-3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYAMPHETAMINE, 2 WIDELY DISTRIBUTED STREET DRUGS

The potential of ion trap mass spectrometry has been evaluated for the characterization and distinction of two isomeric amphetamines drugs, namely N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine and N-ethyl- 3,4 methylenedioxyamphetamine. Whereas the electron impact spectra of the two molecules lack specificity, collisional experiments on the ion ic species at m/z 72 allows unequivocal distinction between the two is omers, Analogous results are achieved by positive ion chemical ionizat ion and collisional experiments on the protonated molecules. All the d ifferent approaches have been successfully applied to the gas chromato graphy/mass spectrometry analysis of a tablet of illicit drug. (C) 199 8 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.