ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 10

Lesser Alkaloids of Cocaine-Bearing Plants. Part I: Nicotinoyl-, 2′-Pyrroloyl, and 2′- and 3′-Furanoylecgonine Methyl Ester—Isolation and Mass Spectral Characterization of Four New Alkaloids of South American Erythroxylum coca Var. coca
Casale, JF
Research chemist and forensic chemist, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, VA

Moore, JM
Research chemist and forensic chemist, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, VA

(Received 29 April 1996; accepted 29 July 1996)

Abstract

Four new trace-level alkaloids of South American coca leaf, Erythroxylum coca var. coca, have been isolated from the bulk leaf/alkaloids matrix and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and synthesis. These alkaloids, nicotinoyl-, 2′-pyrroloyl- and 2′- and 3′-furanoylecgonine methyl ester, were detected in Peruvian coca leaf and/or in a commercial, industrial-grade extract of South American coca. Alkaloid isolation methodology included toluene extraction of the leaf followed by dilute acid/Celite and alumina column chromatography and recrystallization. This methodology also allowed for the detection and partial characterization of an additional 125–150 new tropane alkaloids in coca leaf. Forensic implications are discussed.

Keywords:
forensic science, substance abuse, chemistry, coca leaf, cocaine, Erythroxylum, Erythroxylum coc var, coca, alkaloids, isolation, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS14105J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14105J
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