Synthesis of standards of the most important markers of Leuckart p-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA). Examination of the influence of experimental conditions and a drug diluent on SPE/TLC profiling

Forensic Sci Int. 2003 Jul 8;134(2-3):207-13. doi: 10.1016/s0379-0738(03)00163-4.

Abstract

The synthesis of characteristic markers of PMMA obtained by Leuckart method was described. The effectiveness of a procedure of SPE/TLC screening profiling of impurities was studied on the basis of selected impurities. The influence of glucose (a drug diluent) on the profile quality was investigated. The intermediate product (characteristic for the Leuckart synthesis) N-formyl-p-methoxymethamphetamine (1) and by-products: N-formyl-p-methoxyamphetamine (2), p-methoxyamphetamine (3), N,N-dimethyl-p-methoxyamphetamine (4), (RS) and (RR/SS) diastereoisomers of bis(1-methyl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)amine (meso-5 and rac-5), (RS) and (RR/SS) diastereoisomers of N-methyl-bis(1-methyl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)amine (meso-6 and rac-6), N-methyl-1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-2-amine (7) were synthesized. The substrate p-methoxyphenylacetone and the impurities 1 and 4 were used in the study of influence of experimental conditions and glucose on the profiling process and results. The experiments were carried out according to a 2(4) factorial design. The proposed criterions of the profile quality are based on matrix presentation of TLC patterns. They take into account the number of spots revealed, differences between R(f) values and intensity of fluorescence, simultaneously.

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamines / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer*
  • Forensic Medicine / methods
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hallucinogens / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Amphetamines
  • Hallucinogens
  • 4-methoxyamphetamine