Positive identification and quantitation of isomeric cocaines by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for separating and identifying the four isomeric cocaines has been developed. Use of this procedure with an internal standard allows for the determination of the quantity of any isomeric cocaine in an unknown sample. The pitfalls and problems encountered in the use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in the analysis of cocaines and ecgonine methyl esters are discussed.