In this reported project, a series of acylated derivatives of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (3,4-MDMA) were prepared and evaluated in gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC—MS) studies.
The perfluoroalkyl amides of 3,4-MDMA showed the lowest GC retention, and the aromatic amides, such as the benzamide, showed the greatest retention on the dimethylpolysiloxane stationary phase (Rtx-1). The mass spectral properties of the acetyl, propionyl, and butyryl derivatives all showed a base peak at m/z 58, which is the base peak for the underivatized 3,4-MDMA. All acylated derivatives provided mass spectral information (m/z 162) to identify the three-carbon side chain for 3,4-MDMA. The perfluoroalkyl amides yielded several unique mass spectral fragments for specific identification of 3,4-MDMA. MS fragmentation pathways were illustrated and validated using analogous deuterated derivatives. A combination of excellent chromatographic properties and unique mass spectral fragments enabled the perfluoroalkyl amides to provide maximum specific structural information in the GC—MS analysis of 3,4-MDMA. 11 figures and 20 references (publisher abstract modified)