SOLVING MYSTERIES Using Infrared Spectrometry and Chromatography
Transcript of SOLVING MYSTERIES Using Infrared Spectrometry and Chromatography
ANALYTICAL APPROACH
ιί Using Infrared Spectrometry and Chromatography
Daniel J. Brown, Louis F. Schneider
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 1560 E. Jefferson Avenue Detroit, Ml 48207 James A. Howell Western Michigan University Department of Chemistry Kalamazoo, Ml 49008
Product tampering. Unexplained deaths. These are typical examples of real-life situations that must be investigated by the field office laboratories of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The analytical methods used to solve these mysteries must be highly reliable. Speed is essential because the laboratory findings often dictate the immediate and final course of action taken by the FDA to protect the public. Furthermore, the reliability of the results obtained must be unequivocable because litigation at a later time is possible. Thus confirmation of results by an alternate method is required in all cases in which food and drug laws may have been violated.
Although laboratories like ours have used dispersive infrared (IR) spectrometry since 1957, it was not always the technique of choice and was used almost exclusively for qualitative analysis. The use of IR spectrometry was restricted because of the limited sensitivity of the available instruments. In addition, it was difficult to perform spectral searches on manual systems, and a tedious work-up of the sample was often necessary to obtain good quality spectra. In some of our investi
gations, however, IR spectrometry was necessary to provide conclusive evidence of a compound's identity. In 1984 we acquired a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, and we have successfully applied this technique to a variety of problems and sample matrices.
In this article, we present several examples of the problems that are investigated in our laboratory. The first scenario describes a situation in which dispersive IR spectrometry was used. The last three examples discuss situations in which FT-IR spectrometry was implemented in conjunction with chromatography.
Case I: mysterious deaths We received a request from hospital authorities to investigate the unexplained deaths of several patients that had occurred at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. The hospital suspected that intravenous (iv) solutions were contaminated.
Screening of the iv solutions using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) revealed no irregularities. However, upon examination of the deceased patients' urine, we discovered the presence of pancuronium bromide, a powerful muscle relaxant with a curare-type action (i.e., it hinders involuntary functions of the respiratory system) that should not have been present. As a result of this finding, a lengthy extraction and purification procedure was carried out on the urine specimens. The bro-mophenol blue complex of the pancuronium ion was formed and extracted. A series of separations using TLC and re-
extractions followed. Ultimately the presence of the drug was verified using dispersive IR spectrometry.
Further confirmation was made using two additional TLC procedures as well as gas chromatography (GC). Subsequently the FBI analyzed exhumed body samples and confirmed the presence of pancuronium bromide by mass spectrometry (MS). The FBI concluded that several patients had been murdered, and several members of the hospital staff were arrested.
Cases II and III: steroids On numerous occasions, the FDA has received complaints about steroid mixtures that were illegally sold to athletes for muscle-building purposes. The illicit steroids were used without the supervision of a physician; this posed a serious health problem, and thus we had to verify what was in the steroid mixture before the FDA could take any legal action.
As in most cases when we are dealing with mixtures, chromatographic separation is the obvious method of choice. Because these mixtures generally require derivatization prior to GC analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is preferred; it provides both qualitative and quantitative information without destroying the sample. Because the various steroids of these mixtures were structurally similar, we had to confirm the results by using a technique capable of distinguishing the individual components. This was achieved satisfactorily using FT-IR once the components were separated from one another. Thus fractions
This article not subject to U.S. Copyright Published 1988 American Chemical Society
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 17, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 · 1005 A
SOLVING MYSTERIES
Figure 1. Chromatogram of extracted illicit injectable anabolic steroid in sesame oil.
usually were separated and collected first by HPLC. The solvent from the samples was then evaporated, and micro KBr disks (1.5 mm) containing 35-50 μg of sample and 7-10 mg of KBr were made for FT-IR examination using a 4X beam condenser.
On one occasion, we attempted to analyze an illicit injectable anabolic steroid labeled as fluoxetine hydrochloride. The liquid chromatogram of this sample exhibited four peaks; three were identified on the basis of their retention times and confirmed by FT-IR (Figure 1). Nortestosterone, methyl-testosterone, and nortestosterone propionate (Figure 2a) were readily identified and confirmed. However, a fourth peak partially resolved from the methyl-testosterone peak was not conclusively identified. A good match between the IR spectrum (employing Nicolet's "absolute derivative" algorithm) and the Georgia State Crime Laboratory Library was not possible because the methyltestosterone absorption interfered with the spectrum of the unidentified component. Interactive subtraction of the methyltestosterone from the absorption of the unidentified material provided a corrected spectrum presumably characteristic of the unidentified component. A spectral search tentatively identified this material as a psychotropic drug, 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Figure 2b).
An ultraviolet absorption spectrum was obtained that was consistent with that of MDMA. However, finding this psychotropic drug in the presence of anabolic steroids was viewed with some degree of skepticism; one would not ordinarily expect to find muscle-building
Sesamin Oxandroione
Figure 2. Structures of (a) several anabolic steroids, (b) the psychotropic drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), (c) sesamin, and (d) oxandroione.
drugs with mind-altering drugs. As is routinely the case, a blank determination of the carrier of the illicit drug, sesame oil, was obtained using HPLC. A peak was present that corresponded to the unidentified material (MDMA). Because it seemed improbable that the sesame oil would contain MDMA, a naturally occurring compound resembling MDMA was suspected. An examination of the literature revealed that sesame oil contains sesamin (Figure 2c), which contains two 1,3-benzodioxole groups that are also found in MDMA. The similarity of the two structures readily explains the similar spectral properties of the two compounds. We concluded that the unidentified component of the illicit anabolic steroid was a component of the carrier, sesame oil.
In a more recent case, we encountered another illicit steroid sample dissolved in a sesame oil carrier that con
tained a white precipitate. The precipitate was removed by filtration and identified by FT-IR as oxandroione (Figure 2d). The precipitate was then assayed gravimetrically to determine the amount of oxandroione present in the sample. We first had to establish that 100% recoveries could be achieved by mixing standard oxandroione in sesame oil and petroleum ether. The mixture was then filtered and washed with petroleum ether, and the oxandroione precipitate was weighed. Another portion of the sample was extracted using a 9:1 methanol-water mixture and screened by HPLC for additional steroids.
Using a UV-vis diode array detector, we obtained the chromatograms shown in Figure 3. Two major peaks corresponding to 19-nortestosterone (5.5 min) and methyltestosterone (7.7 min) were found. Both peaks exhibited an absorption maximum in the vicinity of
1006 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 17, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988
Nortestosterone Methyltestosterone
3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine
(MDMA) Nortestosterone propionate
Figure 3. Chromatograms of extracted illicit anabolic steroid in sesame oil containing a precipitate. Detection at (a) 280 nm, (b) 210 nm, and (c) 240 nm.
240 nm, which is consistent with the UV spectra of steroids. Although no peak was evident for oxandrolone, this was not surprising in light of the fact that the oxandrolone chromophoric system is not a strong absorber in this region of the spectrum. We confirmed the identity of the peaks by separating the sample via HPLC, collecting fractions, evaporating the solvent, and analyzing the KBr disks by FT-IR.
The peak at 7.7 min was a good spectral match with the methyltestosterone standard. However, the 19-nortestosterone peak, although identifiable, appeared to be contaminated with another compound. Although there was no doubt as to the identity of methyltestosterone and 19-nortestosterone, complete characterization of the sample depended on identifying the impurity. Interactive subtraction (Figure 4) of a 19-nortestosterone spectrum from the impure sample revealed the impurity to be oxandrolone, the sample precipitate. Apparently, oxandrolone co-elutes to some extent with 19-nortestosterone; but because it weakly absorbs in the UV range, it is virtually undetected using a UV detector.
Case IV: anesthesia victim?
In another instance, we found it necessary to employ quantitative analysis using FT-IR in a case involving the death of a child during surgery. The child went into shock while under general anesthesia. The anesthesia ma
chine was capable of handling two different anesthetics by means of a selection valve. Because the patient 's symptoms were consistent with those of someone who had received a cross-contamination of the anesthetics, a malfunction of the machine was suspected. There was concern that if one of these machines had failed, another could also fail. We had to ascertain
whether the machine was at fault. Obviously a quick and reliable method was of utmost importance.
The two gases involved were halo-thane (2-bromo-2-chloro-l,l ,l-tri-fluoroethane) and forane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether). The patient should have received halothane only; we needed to determine if a significant amount of forane was also inadvertently introduced by the machine. We sampled the gas coming from the machine by condensing it in a cold trap of slurried dry ice and ethanol. Two samples of suspected forane-contaminated gas were collected. One was taken under normal conditions (subsample 3), and another was taken while the selector lever on the anesthesia machine was jiggled (subsample 4). To verify the reliability of our results, we analyzed the condensate by FT-IR, NMR, and GC/MS.
The superimposed IR spectra of the two gases are shown in Figure 5. Examination of the spectra revealed that in the vicinity of 1000 cm - 1 , forane exhibits an absorption band whereas halothane does not. Thus we chose this wavenumber for the determination of forane in halothane. Next, we had to establish a calibration plot and determine its linearity. Aliquots of standards (50.0 /iL) containing various ratios of halothane and forane were individually introduced into a 10.0-cm IR gas cell and allowed to vaporize at ambient temperature and pressure. The cell was then placed in the FT-IR spectrometer and its absorption spectrum obtained. Figure 6 illustrates the absorption spectra in the vicinity of 1000 cm - 1 for various volume percent mixtures of forane. Subsequently, 50.0 μϋ.
Figure 4. FT-IR spectra of oxandrolone. Oxandrolone standard spectrum (lower). Result of the interactive subtraction of 19-nortestosterone standard from the spectrum of impure peak (upper).
1008 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 17, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988
s c a S Ε en c a
F
#
Wavenumbers (cm-1)
Figure 6. FT-IR absorbance spectra of various concentrations (v/v%) forane in halothane: (a) 0 % , (b) 1 %, (c) 5%, (d) 10%, (e)subsample 4.
aliquots of the sample condensates were introduced into the gas cell and treated in the same manner as the standards. Subsample 3 gave a spectrum that coincided with the 0% standard; subsample 4 gave an absorbance equivalent to a forane concentration of 3.6%.
The FT-IR analysis was in good agreement with the results obtained by
NMR and GC/MS. Both techniques failed to detect any forane in subsample 3 and found values of 3.4% and 4.0% forane, respectively, in subsample 4. Even in the case of subsample 4, one must consider that the flow of the halothane is normally adjusted to administer the amount equivalent to approximately 2% v/v to the patient. Under the
worst-case scenario, the patient would have been receiving only 0.07% forane. Based on this data, medical experts determined that the anesthesia machine did not cause the patient's death.
Summary
We have found that IR spectrometry and chromatography used with a vari-
Now you can make UV-VIS-NIR analyses in situ with fiber optics
! Guided Wave Analyzer is run via menu driven ; the light to the measuring point and return i
on a PC. Fiberoptic cables guide detector in the Analyzer.
GUIDED WAVE GUIDED WAVE, INC.
5190 Golden Foothill Parkway, El Dorado Hills, CA 95630 Tel (916) 355-8110, Telefax (916) 355-8116
Telex 753846 GUIDEDWAVE UD
Researchers and Process Engineers! Wouldn't you like to monitor chemical reactions in situ in real time without extracting or transporting samples for composition analysis? Now you can - with the unique new technology developed by Guided Wave. By using advanced spectrophotometries combined with fiber optics, light is taken to the sample rather than taking the sample to the light, as in a conventional spectrophotometer. Guided Wave analyzers offer analyses right where you need it most - directly in the reaction media in real time.
New Possibilities in Chemical and Process R & D Consider running UV-VIS-NIR spectra between 200 and 2200 nm in these situations: • Bench scale reactors and autoclaves under high pressures
and temperatures. Or in vacuum. • Gloves boxes - especially in toxic or "hot" atmospheres. • With a robot to "take the light" from one sample to
another, e.g. permeation and tablet dissolution tests. • Measurement of polymer films and melts. • Where the analyzer and measurement point are up to 200
meters apart - with intrinsically safe fiber connecting them. • COLOR - especially in-line for liquids with APHA and CIE
units. The possibilities for new applications are only limited by your imagination. Fill in the Reader's Service Card or call us to receive comprehensive literature on this innovative technology.
CIRCLE 58 ON READER SERVICE CARD
1010 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 17, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988
ety of other analytical techniques are valuable tools for solving a wide assortment of analytical problems applicable to regulatory decision making. Highly automated instrumentation and computerized data systems are a great asset, but one must never underestimate the importance of planning and developing a logical approach for analytical problem solving.
The authors are indebted to Milda J. Walters, who carried out the pancuronium studies and performed the HPLC studies on the steroid mixtures; James S. Jasinski for the NMR analysis; and Russell J. Ayers for the GC/MS analysis.
Louis F. Schneider is the director of the Detroit District Laboratory of the FDA. Schneider received a B.S. degree in chemistry and mathematics from Western Kentucky University. His research interests include the application of chromatography and spectroscopy to analytical problems in the areas of food and drugs.
Daniel J. Brown (left) is a chemist and IR spectroscopist at the FDA's Detroit District Laboratory and is responsible for analyzing food, drug, and cosmetic samples. He received a B.S. degree from Wayne State University (1965). His research interests include IR spectroscopy, chromatography, and laboratory automation and computerization.
James A. Howell (right) is a professor of chemistry at Western Michigan University. Since 1976 he has been a science advisor for the FDA's Detroit District Laboratory. Howell received a Ph.D. degree from Wayne State University. His research interests lie in the areas of absorption spectroscopy, chromatography, and analytical instrumentation.
ANALYTICAL
P e t r o c h e m i c a l We have been retained by our client to recruit an Analytical Instrumentation Chemist who possesses a BS degree in Chemistry along with 10 years experience in a petrochemical laboratory. In addition, you will also need 5 + years "hands-on" experience in the following:
• Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy • Combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry • Supervising/training staff members
• OUTSTANDING COMPENSATION · NO RESUME REQUIRED
To apply, CALL OUR 24 HOUR/7 DAYS PER WEEK TOLL-FREE NUMBER LISTED BELOW, or send your resume to: RES R-43, 7676 Hillmont, Suite 290, Houston, Texas 77040.
CALL 1-800-872-7022, Ext. R-43 TODAY OR ANYTIME
RECRUITMENT E N H A N C E M E N T SERVICES, INC.
Keep current on government activities as they affect the field of chemistry with
WASHINGTON ulcvt This infomiative bi-weekly publication covers Federal activities as they
concern science in general—and chemistry in particular. It gives timely information on: P rograms to be Funded · New Regulations * Committee Hearings, Activities * Proposed Legislation * Reference Studies, Publications · And much more !
Address.
C.'ily, Stale. Zip-
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 17, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 · 1011 A
INSTRUMENTATION CHEMIST
RES
Based on information brought directly from Capitol Hill by ACS Washington Alert staff members and published by the American ChemicaJ Society's Department of Government Relations and Science Policy, this is primary journalism at its most functional—direct, relevant, accurate.
For information, use the coupon, write, or CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-424-6747
American Chemical Society Periodicals Marketing Department
1155 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington, IX) 20036
YES! Please send me more information on the bi-weekly publication, ACS Washington Alert
Name