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Chemical profile of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) in ecstasy tablets by easy ambient sonic-spray ionization, X-ray fluorescence, ion mobility mass spectrometry and NMR

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Abstract

Meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) is a new illicit drug that has been sold as ecstasy tablets. Easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI-MS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) are shown to provide relatively simple and selective screening tools to distinguish m-CPP tablets from tablets containing amphetamines (mainly 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)). EASI-MS detects the active ingredients in their protonated forms: [m-CPP + H]+ of m/z 197, [MDMA + H]+ of m/z 194, and [2MDMA + HCl + H]+ of m/z 423 and other ions from excipients directly on the tablet surface, providing distinct chemical fingerprints. XRF identifies Cl, K, Ca, Fe, and Cu as inorganic ingredients present in the m-CPP tablets. In contrast, higher Cl concentrations and a more diverse set of elements (P, Cl, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pt, V, Hf, Ti, Pt, and Zr) were found in MDMA tablets. Principal component analysis applied to XRF data arranged samples in three groups: m-CPP tablets (four samples), MDMA tablets (twenty three samples), and tablets with no active ingredients (three samples). The EASI-MS and XRF techniques were also evaluated to quantify m-CPP in ecstasy tablets, with concentrations ranging from 4 to 40 mg of m-CPP per tablets. The m-CPP could only be differentiated from its isomers (o-CPP and for the three isomers p-CPP) by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry and NMR measurements.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Rio de Janeiro Civil and Brazilian Federal Polices for providing the ecstasy samples. This research has also been generously funded by: FAPESP (2009/07168-9 and 2007/54357-6), CNPq (576183/2008-3), FAPERJ (E-26/190.060/2008), and FINEP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Wanderson Romão, Priscila M. Lalli, Marcos F. Franco, Gustavo Sanvido & Marcos N. Eberlin

  2. X-Ray Spectroscopy Group, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Nicolas V. Schwab & Maria Izabel M. S. Bueno

  3. Poison Control Center–Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Rafael Lanaro & José Luiz Costa

  4. Carlos Éboli Institute of Criminalistics, 20060-050, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Bruno D. Sabino

  5. Division of Chemical Metrology, Directorate of Industrial and Scientific Metrology, National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality, 25250-020, Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil

    Gilberto F. de Sa, Romeu J. Daroda & Vanderlea de Souza

  6. Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50.740-540, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Gilberto F. de Sa

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  1. Wanderson Romão
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  2. Priscila M. Lalli
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Correspondence to Wanderson Romão.

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Romão, W., Lalli, P.M., Franco, M.F. et al. Chemical profile of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) in ecstasy tablets by easy ambient sonic-spray ionization, X-ray fluorescence, ion mobility mass spectrometry and NMR. Anal Bioanal Chem 400, 3053–3064 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-4883-9

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