Gold chloride reagents produced distinguishing crystals for MDA, mescaline, and DOET, but MDMA and MDEA formed similar crystals and were not easily differentiated. DOM and N-hydroxy-MDA were soluble in the gold chloride reagents and formed no crystals.
Abstract
Abstract Commonly used gold chloride and its diluted forms are compared with gold bromide for potential microcrystalloscopic differentiation of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and related amphetamine derivatives. The crystal formation characteristics of MDA, mescaline, and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOET) with diluted and undiluted gold chloride allow differentiation of these drugs, while 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) form similar crystals and are not easily differentiated. The compounds 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) and N-hydroxy-MDA were soluble in the gold chloride reagents, and no crystals were formed.