Since the methoxy methyl phenylacetones share an isobaric relationship (equivalent mass but different elemental composition) to the controlled precursor substance 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylacetone (3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone; 3,4-MDP-2-P), in the current project, the 10-ring substituted methoxy methyl phenylacetones were resolved by capillary gas chromatography on a modified cyclodextrin stationary phase.
All 10 regioisomeric ketones eluted before the controlled precursor substance 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylacetone. The vapor phase infrared spectra generated from the capillary column effluent clearly differentiated 3,4-MDP-2-P from the various methoxy methyl phenylacetones. In addition, the methoxy methyl phenylacetones provided unique individual infrared spectra. Infrared absorption frequencies and patterns confirmed the relative position of the methoxy-group and the acetone side-chain for the regioisomeric ketones. (publisher abstract modified)