ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 19

The Application of Capillary Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detection in the Comparative Analyses of Illicit Cocaine Samples
Cooper, DA
Research Chemists, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia

Moore, JM
Research Chemists, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia

(Received 29 October 1992; accepted 14 May 1993)

Abstract

The gas chromatographic detection of manufacturing impurities in illicit cocaine can be enhanced by chemical derivatization and the use of an electron-capture detector. After derivatization of illicit cocaine hydrochloride samples with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, the isolated heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of the cocaine impurities were subjected to capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection analysis. The on-column detection of cocaine impurities at low picogram levels was possible for compounds such as N-norcocaine and other N-demethylated impurities, amidic by-products, including N-benzoylnorecgonine methyl ester and tertiary amines possessing hydroxy functions. The latter compounds include the so-called hydroxycocaine impurities, believed to be new coca leaf alkaloids. This methodology is especially suited for sample comparison analyses.

Keywords:
forensic science, chemical analysis, cocaine, gas chromatography, electron capture detection, illicit drugs

Paper ID: JFS13535J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13535J
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