U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Methyl Esters of Ecgonine: Injection-Port Produced Artifacts From Cocaine Base (Crack) Exhibits
NCJ Number
              140071
Journal

*Journal of Forensic Sciences* Volume: 37 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 1295-1310
Author(s)
          J F Casale
Date Published

1992
Length
              16 pages
Annotation
              This paper discusses the formation of ecgonine methyl ester and pseudoecgonine methyl ester as artifacts in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of cocaine base exhibits containing traces of sodium bicarbonate.
Abstract
              Many cocaine base (crack) exhibits contain traces of sodium bicarbonate. Pseudoecgonine methyl ester and ecgonine methyl ester are formed as artifacts from the effect of sodium bicarbonate and methanol in the injection port of a gas chromatograph. The formation of ecgonine methyl esters was confirmed by comparison to known standards via GC/MS.  Mechanisms for artifact formation were hydrolysis of cocaine, followed by esterification and transesterification/base catalyzed epimerization. The formation of anhydroecgonine methyl ester as an artifact via thermal elimination of benzoic acid from cocaine was also supported by the experimental data. It was determined that artifacts produced by GC or sample preparation must always be considered when identifying natural products. Extractions or solvents may inadvertently promote certain artifacts because of their physical and chemical properties. 11 references and 12 figures
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        170-188-E6-D009
                                170-190-E6-D034


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Technical)
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 1992
    
          Downloads
        
                      *No download available*

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Chromatography
        Cocaine
        Drug analysis
        Evidence Identification
        Forensic sciences



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Technical Note – Microcrystal Tests
                  Technical Note – Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Photo Diode Array Ultraviolet Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA UV-MS)
                  A combined molecular approach utilizing microbial DNA and microRNAs in a qPCR multiplex for the classification of five forensically relevant body fluids
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov