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FAPA mass spectrometry of designer drugs
Marek Smoluch1, Blazej Gierczyk2, Edward Reszke3
1AGH University of Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry and Neurobiology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
Abstract:
Application of a flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ion source for mass spectrometry (FAPA-MS) for the analysis of designer drugs is described. In this paper, we present application of FAPA MS for identification of exemplary psychotropic drugs: JWH-122, 4BMC, Pentedrone, 3,4-DNNC and ETH-CAT. We have utilized two approaches for introducing samples into the plasma stream; first in the form of a methanolic aerosol from the nebulizer, and the second based on a release of vapors from the electrically heated crucible by thermal desorption. The analytes were ionized by FAPA and identified in the mass analyzer. The order of release of the compounds depends on their volatility. These methods offer fast and reliable structural information, without pre-separation, and can be an alternative to the Electron Impact, GC/MS, and ESI for fast analysis of designer-, and other psychoactive drugs.
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