Identification of 4-substituted 2-(4-x-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25X-NBOMe) and analogues by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) derivatives. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lum, Benny J.; Brophy, Joseph J.; Hibbert, D. Brynn
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of forensic sciences. Volume 48:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: new psychoactive substances -- NBOMe -- drug analysis -- gas chromatography mass spectrometry -- HFBA derivatisation; Law -- Australia -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2015.1026274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-0618

Abstract

Abstract : Gas chromatograms and E.I. mass spectra of the parent compounds and seven heptafluorobutyric anhydride derivatised, 4-substituted 2-(4-x-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamines (25X-NBOMe), (x = Br, Cl, Me, Et, I, NO2, SMe; X = B, C, D, E, I, N, T2), 2-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25H-NBOMe) and six other analogues are reported. Derivatisation allows determination of the mass of the molecular ion, and observation of characteristic fragmentation patterns. All the NBOMe compounds studied showed a McLafferty rearrangement in the E.I. mass spectrum that is diagnostic of a hydrogen atom that is six atoms removed from a π-bonded hetero-atom. The ease of this protocol makes this an important tool for the routine analysis of appropriately-structured new psychoactive substances in crime laboratories.