Novel Techniques for the Analytical Separation of Cathinones in Forensic Chemistry
Mentor 1
Joseph H. Aldstadt
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
5-4-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2019 3:30 PM
Description
Cathinones are a class of synthetic amphetamines that have become increasingly abused. Due to the ease with which drug chemists are able to modify existing cathinones, the ability to separate and identify them within forensic samples is of the utmost importance. To this end, a novel sequential injection (SI) method for the separation and identification of amphetamines was developed that incorporated the Lucy method. The Lucy method was developed in the early 90's and utilizes flow injection to separate and preconcentrate a sample. This means that instead of performing a solid phase extraction with a column, the desired component in the sample is extracted using two-phase segmented flow. Adapting the Lucy method to SI allowed for a more sensitive extraction of cathinones from unknown powder samples, yielding a higher concentration of extracted cathinone. The isolated cathinones were then analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which allowed for the elucidation of chemical structures and the identification of the unknown cathinones.
Novel Techniques for the Analytical Separation of Cathinones in Forensic Chemistry
Union Wisconsin Room
Cathinones are a class of synthetic amphetamines that have become increasingly abused. Due to the ease with which drug chemists are able to modify existing cathinones, the ability to separate and identify them within forensic samples is of the utmost importance. To this end, a novel sequential injection (SI) method for the separation and identification of amphetamines was developed that incorporated the Lucy method. The Lucy method was developed in the early 90's and utilizes flow injection to separate and preconcentrate a sample. This means that instead of performing a solid phase extraction with a column, the desired component in the sample is extracted using two-phase segmented flow. Adapting the Lucy method to SI allowed for a more sensitive extraction of cathinones from unknown powder samples, yielding a higher concentration of extracted cathinone. The isolated cathinones were then analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which allowed for the elucidation of chemical structures and the identification of the unknown cathinones.
