Thin-layer chromatographic screening and confirmation of basic drugs of abuse in urine

Thin-layer chromatographic procedures are presented for the positive identification of methodone, primary metabolite of methodone (2-ethylidine-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine), propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, methoqualone, and phencyclidine from urine specimens. Initial screening of specimens is done by developing plates in ethyl acetate-methanol-diethylamine (90:10:1.6). Samples screened positive are confirmed in methylene chloride-methyl ethyl ketone-concentrated ammonium hydroxide (74:25:0.8), depending on the drug(s) indicated by the screening procedure. The method is quite sensitive, detecting most of the listed drugs at levels of 1.0 mug/ml or less.