Determination of Cathinones at Low Levels in Forensic Samples: Development of a Novel Flow-Injection Method
Mentor 1
Joseph Aldstadt
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
27-4-2018 1:00 PM
Description
The focus of my research is to develop a new method for measuring amphetamines. Specifically, we are studying cathinones, known as "bath salts" in popular culture. Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) are the primary instruments that I am studying. In addition to learning about basic laboratory skills, I am learning about how to optimize the experiments to determine trace amounts of cathinone simulants in "street" samples. Cathinones can differ from each other by only small changes in their molecular structures, and are therefore problematic as "designer drugs". Hence, this type of illicit drug is ever-changing in an attempt to avoid identification from law enforcement, and there is thus a need to identify the different kinds of cathinones that are constantly being produced. I plan on using FIA, which is an automated, flow-based, kinetic technique, to measure the species of interest. Following my research on FIA, I will use NMR as an integral part in the identification of the specific molecular structures of the various cathinones. FIA is my first priority, and I am gaining a better understanding of the instruments being used to subsequently develop modifications of the basic methods that will lead to more rapid, sensitive, and selective quantification of the various cathinones.
Determination of Cathinones at Low Levels in Forensic Samples: Development of a Novel Flow-Injection Method
Union Wisconsin Room
The focus of my research is to develop a new method for measuring amphetamines. Specifically, we are studying cathinones, known as "bath salts" in popular culture. Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) are the primary instruments that I am studying. In addition to learning about basic laboratory skills, I am learning about how to optimize the experiments to determine trace amounts of cathinone simulants in "street" samples. Cathinones can differ from each other by only small changes in their molecular structures, and are therefore problematic as "designer drugs". Hence, this type of illicit drug is ever-changing in an attempt to avoid identification from law enforcement, and there is thus a need to identify the different kinds of cathinones that are constantly being produced. I plan on using FIA, which is an automated, flow-based, kinetic technique, to measure the species of interest. Following my research on FIA, I will use NMR as an integral part in the identification of the specific molecular structures of the various cathinones. FIA is my first priority, and I am gaining a better understanding of the instruments being used to subsequently develop modifications of the basic methods that will lead to more rapid, sensitive, and selective quantification of the various cathinones.
