NCJ Number
139775
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 1662-1672
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Gas chromatography-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/IR) was used to analyze a series of alkyl nitrites (butyl and pentyl) as well as some typical "street products" containing alkyl nitrites.
Abstract
Alkyl nitrites can be purchased as room odorizers sold under trade names such as "Rush." These compounds are of forensic science interest because of their potential for abuse. The nitrites are administered by inhalation and cause a "rush" due to vasodilation of the blood vessels in the brain. Toxic effects of nitrite abuse include nausea, dizziness, headache, sedation, hypotension, and tachycardia. Direct ingestion of the liquid nitrites has proven to be fatal. Many States have legislation that controls their use as intoxicating compounds. In an attempt to improve on previous methods for the identification of alkyl nitrites, this study was undertaken to explore the feasibility of identifying nitrites by GC/IR. An adaptation of a method described in the literature was used. A mixture of 0.2 ml water, 0.25 ml concentrated sulfuric acid, and 1 ml of the appropriate alcohol was placed in a 50 ml test tube, sealed, and chilled in an ice bath. A solution of sodium nitrite was added dropwise for 10 minutes with periodic shaking. Analyses were performed with a Hewlett-Packard 5890 gas chromatograph attached to a nicolet 5 SXC IR with an MCT detector. The vapor phase IR spectra of the nitrites exhibited strong absorbances near 1665 and 1620 cm-1 (anti and syn R-O-N=O stretches) and 780 cm-1 (O-N stretch); yet enough variation exists to distinguish between them. Street samples, or purposely "aged" nitrites, showed mixtures of readily separated components that consist of alkyl nitrites and nitrous oxide. 7 figures, 1 table, and 5 references