We studied the possibility of direct GC-MS determination of amphetamine hydrochloride. In order to avoid the double peak we
determined the optimal injector temperature (260°C) and heating rate (40°C min
−1). In the direct analysis of amphetamine hydrochloride containing samples, calibration for fragment
m/z=59 (originating from amphetaminium ion fragmentation; the calibrating agent is amphetamine hydrochloride) gave better results
than calibration for
m/z=44 (derived from both free amphetamine and amphetaminium ion; calibration agents were amphetamine or amphetamine hydrochloride).
We also compared the mass spectra of amphetamine and amphetamine hydrochloride taken by ion-trap GC-MS. The fragmentation
path was cleavage of the C-C bond at benzyl position for the free base or between the phenyl group and the aliphatic moiety,
in the case of free base and amphetaminium ion, respectively.
Key Words Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry - Amphetamine - Amphetamine hydrochloride