Chiral Analysis of Methamphetamine and Related Controlled Substances in Forensic Science

Abstract

The chiral analysis of some seized drugs is important for the administration of justice. The chapter reviews the current analytical methods that have been developed and employed in academic, industrial and forensic laboratories, for the enantiomeric identification and quantitation of some controlled substances, with the focus on methamphetamine and related compounds. Although some spectroscopic methods are discussed, separation techniques, including gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, especially those coupled with mass spectroscopy, are examined in detail. Some important terms and mechanisms associated with chiral analysis are discussed.

Keywords: Chiral, Controlled substance, enantiomer, diastereomer, Gas chromatography, High performance liquid chromatography, Supercritical fluid chromatograph, Capillary electrophoresis, Optical rotation, IR, NMR.