Electron impact mass spectroscopy for identification of phencyclidine

The electron impact mass spectrum of phencyclidine (PCP) was studied using both deuterium-labeled analogs and high-resolution mass spectroscopy. The deuterium-labeled compounds used were d5.PCP having 5 deuterium atoms on the phenyl ring, d10.PCP having 10 deuterium atoms on the cyclohexyl ring, and d15.PCP having deuterium atoms on both the phenyl and cyclohexyl rings. The identities of some major fragments and some possible pathways for their formation are shown. Electron impact mass spectroscopy is shown to be a definitive test for the identification of PCP.