Studies on Fentanyl and Related Compounds IV. Chromatographic and Spectrometric Discrimination of Fentanyl and its Derivatives

Abstract

Chromatographic and spectrometric discrimination of fentanyl and its 24 analogues are discussed. Twenty-three of 25 samples were discriminated from each other by gas chromatography (GC), and the combination of GC and mass spectrometry enabled discrimination of all 25 samples. Condensed-phase infrared spectrometry was also useful for the differentiation of structurally similar compounds, but vapor-phase infrared spectra were not useful for discrimination of fentanyls.