Quick Test for Determination of N-Bombs (Phenethylamine Derivatives, NBOMe) Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: A Comparison between Photodiode Array and Amperometric Detection
ACS Omega August 29, 2019 H. Elbardisy, Christopher W. Foster, J. Marron et al.
A new high-performance liquid chromatography method simultaneously detects and quantifies four halide derivatives of the psychoactive NBOMe compounds, often sold as LSD on blotter papers. Two detection systems were compared: photodiode array and amperometric detection using graphite screen-printed electrodes. Linear calibration ranges were 10–300 and 20–300 μg mL⁻¹ for the two systems, with detection limits of 4.6–6.7 and 9.7–18 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The method successfully analyzed the four NBOMe derivatives in bulk form, in the presence of LSD and common adulterants, and on simulated blotter papers, yielding satisfactory recoveries. The approach is proposed for routine forensic analysis.