The analysis of controlled substances

Contents Series Preface xi Preface xiii Acronyms, Abbreviations and Symbols xv About the Author xvii 1 Introduction to Drug Trends, Control, Legislation and Analysis 1 1.1 Introductory Remarks 1 1.2 International Legislation 2 1.3 Controlled Substances in the United Kingdom 3 1.3.1 Background to the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971 3 1.3.2 The Provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971 3 1.4 Controlled Substances in the United States 5 1.5 Controlled Substances in Australia 5 1.6 The Drug Chemist and Drug Analysis 5 1.7 Quality Assurance in the Drugs Laboratory 9 1.8 Presentation of Evidence in Court 10 References 11 2 Amphetamine and Related Compounds 13 2.1 Introduction 13 2.2 Qualitative Identification of Amphetamines 15 2.2.1 Sampling and Physical Description of Amphetamines 15 2.2.2 Presumptive Testing of Amphetamines 18 2.2.3 Thin Layer Chromatography of Amphetamines 19 2.2.4 Definitive Identification of Amphetamines 20 viii Analysis of Controlled Substances 2.3 Quantification of Amphetamines 25 2.4 Comparison and Profiling of Amphetamine Samples 31 2.4.1 The Leuckart Synthesis of Amphetamine 32 2.4.2 The Reductive Amination of Benzyl Methyl Ketone 32 2.4.3 The Nitrostyrene Synthesis 33 2.4.4 Impurity Extraction and Sample Comparison 34 References 36 3 The Analysis of LSD 37 3.1 Introduction 37 3.2 Qualitative Identification of LSD 38 3.2.1 Sampling and Physical Description of LSD Blotter Acid 39 3.2.2 Extraction of LSD Prior to Analysis 41 3.2.3 Presumptive Testing for LSD 42 3.2.4 Thin Layer Chromatography of Samples Containing LSD 43 3.2.5 Confirmatory Tests for the Presence of LSD 43 References 47 4 Cannabis sativa and Products 49 4.1 Introduction 49 4.2 Origins, Sources and Manufacture of Cannabis 51 4.3 Analytical Sequence, Bulk and Trace Sampling Procedures 53 4.4 Qualitative Identification of Cannabis 54 4.4.1 Identification of Herbal Material 55 4.4.2 Identification of Other Materials 57 4.4.3 Comparison of Cannabis Samples 65 References 72 5 Diamorphine and Heroin 73 5.1 Introduction 73 5.2 Origins, Sources and Manufacture of Diamorphine 74 5.3 Appearance of Heroin and Associated Paraphernalia 77 5.4 Bulk and Trace Sampling Procedures 78 5.5 Identification, Quantification and Comparison of Heroin Samples 79 5.5.1 Presumptive Tests for Heroin 80 5.5.2 Thin Layer Chromatography of Heroin Samples 81 5.5.3 Gas Chromatographic–Mass Spectroscopic Identification of Heroin 83 5.5.4 Quantification of Heroin Samples 87 5.5.5 Comparison of Heroin Samples 92 References 95 Contents ix 6 Cocaine 97 6.1 Introduction 97 6.2 Origins, Sources and Manufacture of Cocaine 99 6.2.1 Extraction and Preparation of Coca Paste 99 6.2.2 Synthesis of Pure Cocaine 100 6.3 Qualitative Identification of Cocaine 100 6.3.1 Presumptive Tests for Cocaine 100 6.3.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 102 6.3.3 Definitive Identification of Cocaine 103 6.4 Quantification of Cocaine 107 6.4.1 Quantification of Cocaine by GC–MS 107 6.4.2 Quantification of Cocaine by UV Spectroscopy 108 6.5 Comparison of Cocaine Samples 109 References 110 7 Products from Catha edulis and Lophophora williamsii 113 7.1 Introduction 113 7.2 Products of Catha edulis 113 7.2.1 Identification, Quantification and Comparison of Khat Samples 115 7.2.2 Comparison of Khat Samples 119 7.3 Products of Lophophora williamsii 119 7.3.1 Physical Description and Sampling of Materials 120 7.3.2 Presumptive Tests for Mescaline 121 7.3.3 TLC Analysis of Mescaline 121 7.3.4 HPLC Analysis of Mescaline 122 7.3.5 GC–MS Analysis of Mescaline 124 7.3.6 Comparison of Peyote Samples 124 References 125 8 The Analysis of Psilocybin and Psilocin from Fungi 127 8.1 Introduction 127 8.2 Identification of Psilocybin- and Psilocin-Containing Mushrooms 129 8.2.1 Identification of Fungal Species from Morphological Characteristics 129 8.2.2 Identification of Psilocin and Psilocybin Using Chemical Analysis 130 8.2.3 Quantification of Psilocin and Psilocybin by HPLC 135 8.3 The Identification of Psilocybin- and Psilocin-Containing Fungi Using DNA Profiling 136 References 137 x Analysis of Controlled Substances 9 The Analysis of Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs – Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 139 9.1 Introduction 139 9.2 Analysis of Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 141 9.2.1 Extraction of Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines from Dose Forms 142 9.2.2 Presumptive Tests for Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 142 9.2.3 TLC of Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 143 9.2.4 Confirmatory Analysis of Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 146 9.2.5 Quantification of Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 149 References 151 10 Current Status, Summary and Conclusions 153 10.1 Current Status of Drug Analysis 153 10.2 Conclusions 155 Appendices 157 1 Presumptive (Colour) Tests 157 2 Less-Common Controlled Substances 159 Responses to Self-Assessment Questions 161 Bibliography 175 Glossary of Terms 179 SI Units and Physical Constants 183 Periodic Table 187 Index 189