Novel derivatization with Sanger's reagent (2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene [DNFB]) and related methodological developments for improved detection of amphetamine enantiomers by circular dichroism spectroscopy

Abstract
A new analytical procedure based on the derivatization of amphetamine with Sanger's reagent (2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene) and a subsequent circular dichroism spectroscopic analysis are proposed for the determination of amphetamine enantiomers. The main advantage of the approach is the fact that the new synthetized derivative can be detected in the visible wavelength region with significantly better sensitivity than the original amphetamine. This allows a reliable determination of the optical isomers of the amphetamine without the need of separation from some of the most frequently occurring additives such as caffeine and lactose in the case of illicit drugs, or auxiliary materials in the case of legal amphetamine containing preparations.