The synthesis, mass spectrometric properties and identification of some N,N-di-(β-arylisopropyl)formamides related to the synthesis of ring-modified amphetamines.

This study examines the electron impact (EI) induced mass spectrometric behavior of several N,N-di-(β-arylisopropyl)formamides, which are connected to the Leuckart synthesis of some amphetamine analogues. Emphasis is laid on the fragmentation paths, which are common for all compounds under investigation and may be used in construction of the prediction scheme useful for identification of similar impurities, especially in absence of desirable authentic material. On the basis of this scheme several new N,N-di-(β-arylisopropyl)formamides have been identified in selected amphetamine analogues synthesized by the Leuckart method, including 4-methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA), 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA), 4-methylamphetamine, 3-trifluoromethylamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (2,5-DMA), 2,4,5- and 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamines (2-TMA and 3-TMA).

Electron ionization mass spectrometry as a tool for the investigation of the ortho effect in fragmentation of some Schiff bases derived from amphetamine analogs.

The electron ionization-induced fragmentation patterns of three forensically relevant Schiff bases, originating from the condensation between 2-, 3- and 4-methoxyamphetamine and the corresponding ketones, were studied. The proposed fragmentation routes and ion structures are supported by high-resolution data and B/E linked-scan and mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra. The rationalization of the ortho effect, which is responsible for the formation of the [M-OCH3] fragment in the case of the imine bearing ortho-substituted methoxy group, is given.

Electron ionization-induced fragmentation of N-(alkoxymethyl)anilides.

Electron ionization-induced fragmentation patterns of the series of N-(alkoxymethyl)acetanilides and related formanilides and benzanilides have been studied. The main fragmentation reaction observed for all compounds studied is the loss of an alkyl radical from the N-alkoxymethyl group leading to the appropriate protonated N-acylformanilide derivatives. This reaction is accompanied by unusually high kinetic energy release.