Identification of impurities and statistical classification of methamphetamine hydrochloride drugs seized in China.

Abstract

A total of 48 methamphetamine hydrochloride samples from eight seizures were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Major impurities detected include 1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine, ephedrine/pseudoephedrine, 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenylnaphthalene, 1-benzyl-3-methylnaphthalene. These data are suggestive of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine as the main precursor of the methamphetamine hydrochloride samples seized during 2006-2007. Additionally the presence of 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenylnaphthalene, 1-benzyl-3-methylnaphthalene is indicative that six seizures were synthesized via the more specific ephedrine/hydriodic acid/red phosphorus method. In addition, five impurities were found for the first time in methamphetamine hydrochloride samples. Seventeen impurity peaks were selected from the GC-FID chromatograms. The peak areas of the selected peaks were then grouped for cluster analysis.

• Authors: Jian Xin Zhang, Da Ming Zhang, Xu Guang Han
• Journal: Forensic science international (Forensic Sci Int) Vol. 182 Issue 1-3 Pg. 13-9 (Nov 20 2008) ISSN: 1872-6283 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 19008060 (Publication Type: Journal Article)