Investigation of electron ionization mass spectrometric fragmentation pattern of indole- and indazole-type synthetic cannabinoids

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q2 CHEMISTRY, ANALYTICAL

Forensic Chemistry Pub Date : 2024-02-08 DOI:10.1016/j.forc.2024.100557

Xuan Luo , Jun Zhang , Kejian Huang , Xiaofeng Liu , Ning Yang , Junbo Li , Qiulian Luo

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Abstract

A complete database is the key to using mass spectrometry (MS) to identify the structures of organic substances. However, rapid derivation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has made it difficult for law enforcement agencies in various countries to identify NPS structures using MS. The fragments and cleavage patterns of MS contain much structural information. Therefore, it is possible to overcome the limitations of existing MS databases for NPS structure identification by analyzing the original MS data. This study aimed to investigate the major subclasses of synthetic cannabinoid NPS (SCs) and indole- and indazole-type SCs. A total of 166 indole- and indazole-type SCs were divided into three groups based on differences in the C-3 position. Subsequently, the MS data under the electron ionization source were systematically summarized. Then, a three-step procedure, “core → tail (R₁) → linker and linked group (R₂)”, was established for the structural analysis of indole- and indazole-type SCs. The subclasses were determined using the characteristic fragments F2–F4, which were closely associated with the core, indole, or indazole. Next, the seven types of the tail (R₁) were determined using the mass-to-charge ratios of the six characteristic fragments and F1. Lastly, the 12 combinations of the linker and the linked group (R₂) were identified. Using this procedure, the classes of the core, tail, linker, and linked group in the structures of indole- and indazole-type SCs can be rapidly determined without the limitations of MS databases, thereby laying the foundation for the final determination of the exact structures.

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吲哚和吲唑类合成大麻素的电子电离质谱碎片模式研究

完整的数据库是使用质谱（MS）鉴定有机物质结构的关键。然而，新精神活性物质（NPS）的快速衍生给各国执法机构利用质谱鉴定 NPS 结构带来了困难。MS 的片段和裂解模式包含大量结构信息。因此，通过分析原始 MS 数据，可以克服现有 MS 数据库在 NPS 结构鉴定方面的局限性。本研究旨在研究合成大麻素 NPS（SCs）的主要亚类以及吲哚型和吲唑型 SCs。根据 C-3 位置的差异，共将 166 种吲哚和吲唑型 SCs 分成三组。随后，对电子电离源下的质谱数据进行了系统总结。然后，建立了 "核心→尾部（R1）→连接体和连接基团（R2）"的三步程序，用于吲哚型和吲唑型 SC 的结构分析。利用与核心、吲哚或吲唑密切相关的特征片段 F2-F4 确定了亚类。接着，利用六个特征片段和 F1 的质量电荷比确定了尾部（R1）的七种类型。最后，确定了连接体和连接基团（R2）的 12 种组合。利用这一程序，可以不受质谱数据库的限制，快速确定吲哚和吲唑型 SC 结构中的核心、尾部、连接子和连接基团的类别，从而为最终确定确切的结构奠定基础。

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来源期刊

Forensic Chemistry CHEMISTRY, ANALYTICAL-

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

14.80%

发文量

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Forensic Chemistry publishes high quality manuscripts focusing on the theory, research and application of any chemical science to forensic analysis. The scope of the journal includes fundamental advancements that result in a better understanding of the evidentiary significance derived from the physical and chemical analysis of materials. The scope of Forensic Chemistry will also include the application and or development of any molecular and atomic spectrochemical technique, electrochemical techniques, sensors, surface characterization techniques, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, chemometrics and statistics, and separation sciences (e.g. chromatography) that provide insight into the forensic analysis of materials. Evidential topics of interest to the journal include, but are not limited to, fingerprint analysis, drug analysis, ignitable liquid residue analysis, explosives detection and analysis, the characterization and comparison of trace evidence (glass, fibers, paints and polymers, tapes, soils and other materials), ink and paper analysis, gunshot residue analysis, synthetic pathways for drugs, toxicology and the analysis and chemistry associated with the components of fingermarks. The journal is particularly interested in receiving manuscripts that report advances in the forensic interpretation of chemical evidence. Technology Readiness Level: When submitting an article to Forensic Chemistry, all authors will be asked to self-assign a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to their article. The purpose of the TRL system is to help readers understand the level of maturity of an idea or method, to help track the evolution of readiness of a given technique or method, and to help filter published articles by the expected ease of implementation in an operation setting within a crime lab.