Forensic Science Interni-ttional Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric

The major alkaloids of the plant khat, Cutha edulis, were conclusively identified by derivatization with (R)-(+)-cr-methoxy-c-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid. The acid was first reacted with dicyclohexyldicarbodiimide to give in situ the anhydride. The resulting amides formed from reaction with the anhydride were separated by gas chromatography. Sep-aration characteristics of the derivatives of the alkaloids with other chiral acids and an anhyd-ride are also given. Analysis of samples seized in Canada indicated large amounts of the enantiomer of cathinone, the alkaloid chiefly responsible for the activity of the plant. In some samples almost racemic mixtures of the two isomers were detected. These results indicate that racemization of the naturally occurring cathinone in the plant is an important process