Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry
Sensitive real-time detection of vapors produced by the precursors, reagents and solvents used in the illegal drugs manufacture represents a priority nowadays. Acetic anhydride (AA) is the key chemical used as acetylation agent in producing the illegal drugs heroin and methaqualone. This study was d...
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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author | Victor Bocos-Bintintan George-Bogdan Ghira Mircea Anton Aurel-Vasile Martiniuc Ileana-Andreea Ratiu |
author_facet | Victor Bocos-Bintintan George-Bogdan Ghira Mircea Anton Aurel-Vasile Martiniuc Ileana-Andreea Ratiu |
author_sort | Victor Bocos-Bintintan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Sensitive real-time detection of vapors produced by the precursors, reagents and solvents used in the illegal drugs manufacture represents a priority nowadays. Acetic anhydride (AA) is the key chemical used as acetylation agent in producing the illegal drugs heroin and methaqualone. This study was directed towards quick detection and quantification of AA in air, using two fast and very sensitive analytical techniques: photoionization detection (PID) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Results obtained indicated that both PID and IMS can sense AA at ultra-trace levels in air, but while PID produces a non-selective response, IMS offers richer information. Ion mobility spectrometric response in the positive ion mode presented one product ion, at reduced ion mobility K<sub>0</sub> of 1.89 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> (almost overlapped with positive reactant ion peak), while in the negative ion mode two well separated product ions, with K<sub>0</sub> of 1.90 and 1.71 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>, were noticed. Our study showed that by using a portable, commercial IMS system (model Mini IMS, I.U.T. GmbH Berlin) AA can be easily measured at concentrations of 0.05 ppm<sub>v</sub> (0.2 mg m<sup>−3</sup>) in negative ion mode. Best selectivity and sensitivity of the IMS response were therefore achieved in the negative operation mode. |
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spelling | doaj.art-760d8525d5474477b6c3ecab4dc3f8272023-11-19T21:59:16ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492020-04-01258185210.3390/molecules25081852Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility SpectrometryVictor Bocos-Bintintan0George-Bogdan Ghira1Mircea Anton2Aurel-Vasile Martiniuc3Ileana-Andreea Ratiu4Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, Str. Fântânele nr. 30, RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, Str. Fântânele nr. 30, RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaFaculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, Str. Fântânele nr. 30, RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaTechnische Universität München, Institut für Informatik VI, Boltzmannstraße 3, 85748 Garching bei München, GermanyBabeș-Bolyai University, “Raluca Ripan” Institute for Research in Chemistry, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaSensitive real-time detection of vapors produced by the precursors, reagents and solvents used in the illegal drugs manufacture represents a priority nowadays. Acetic anhydride (AA) is the key chemical used as acetylation agent in producing the illegal drugs heroin and methaqualone. This study was directed towards quick detection and quantification of AA in air, using two fast and very sensitive analytical techniques: photoionization detection (PID) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Results obtained indicated that both PID and IMS can sense AA at ultra-trace levels in air, but while PID produces a non-selective response, IMS offers richer information. Ion mobility spectrometric response in the positive ion mode presented one product ion, at reduced ion mobility K<sub>0</sub> of 1.89 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> (almost overlapped with positive reactant ion peak), while in the negative ion mode two well separated product ions, with K<sub>0</sub> of 1.90 and 1.71 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>, were noticed. Our study showed that by using a portable, commercial IMS system (model Mini IMS, I.U.T. GmbH Berlin) AA can be easily measured at concentrations of 0.05 ppm<sub>v</sub> (0.2 mg m<sup>−3</sup>) in negative ion mode. Best selectivity and sensitivity of the IMS response were therefore achieved in the negative operation mode.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/8/1852acetic anhydride (AA)trace detectionillegal drugs precursorsphotoionization detection PIDion mobility spectrometry IMS |
spellingShingle | Victor Bocos-Bintintan George-Bogdan Ghira Mircea Anton Aurel-Vasile Martiniuc Ileana-Andreea Ratiu Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry Molecules acetic anhydride (AA) trace detection illegal drugs precursors photoionization detection PID ion mobility spectrometry IMS |
title | Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry |
title_full | Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry |
title_fullStr | Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry |
title_full_unstemmed | Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry |
title_short | Sensing Precursors of Illegal Drugs—Rapid Detection of Acetic Anhydride Vapors at Trace Levels Using Photoionization Detection and Ion Mobility Spectrometry |
title_sort | sensing precursors of illegal drugs rapid detection of acetic anhydride vapors at trace levels using photoionization detection and ion mobility spectrometry |
topic | acetic anhydride (AA) trace detection illegal drugs precursors photoionization detection PID ion mobility spectrometry IMS |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/8/1852 |
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