NCJ Number
131265
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1186-1191
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A method for the analysis of microgram amounts of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was developed using a microscope sampling device with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.
Abstract
Crystals were obtained from samples containing less than 50 micrograms (ug) of LSD with methanal extraction. Ammonium hydroxide was added at this point to assist in the wick evaporation step. The sample was redissolved and streaked on 1 inch by 3 inch thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates. After the streaked plates were developed the LSD band was located using the known Rf value and an ultraviolet lightbox. The band of silica containing the LSD was then scraped and sonicated in a methyl t-butyl ether solution. Wick evaporation was used to separate the soluble components from the undissolved solids in the solution without filtration. When evaporation was completed; the crystals found below the tip of the wick were transferred onto an IR sampling crystal, or if thin enough, the IR spectrum was obtained directly with the microscope sampling device. The crystals produce excellent spectra from samples containing 20-100 ug of LSD. The method distinguished between LSD, isoLSD, and lysergic acid N-methyl propyl amide (LAMPA). This method combines TLC with wick evaporation for the separation of soluble components from high solid mixtures without filtration. 4 figures and 5 references (Author abstract modified)