Clinical Chemistry · 1974 · 13 citations · 0 references
PharmacyPharmaceutical AnalysisPharmacologyForensic Pharmaceutical AnalysisNeuropharmacologyPsychopharmacologyControlled Substance AnalysisDrug AuthenticationDrug DiscriminationDrug IdentificationStimulant ToxicologyToxicological Drug ScreeningAmphetamine DerivativesAnalytical Detection LimitsIllicit Drug DetectionMonoamine PharmacologyStimulant DetectionUrine Drug ConfirmationUrine Drug ScreeningUrine Toxicology Screening
Abstract We describe a thin-layer chromatographic procedure for distinguishing among amphetamine, mescaline, 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (STP), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), phenylpropanolamine, chlorphentermine, β-phenylethylamine, benzocaine, and procaine. These compounds may be encountered in urine-screening programs, and all except MDA are well separated from amphetamine (a fact not previously established) as well as from each other. They are revealed by sequentially spraying with ethanolic phenylacetaldehyde—ninhydrin and aqueous sodium phosphate. The resulting yellow spots fluoresce green on heating. The aromatic amines fluoresce poorly. MDA is distinguished from amphetamine by overspraying with chromotropic acid. Detection limits and Rf values are reported. Fluorescence spectra of the aliphatic amines are similar.