Fast and highly sensitive determination of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolites in hair using liquid chromatography-multistage mass spectrometry (LC-MS3 ).

In hair analysis, identification of 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), one of the major endogenously formed metabolites of the psychoactive cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is considered unambiguous proof of cannabis consumption. Due to the complex hair matrix and low target concentrations of THC-COOH in hair, this kind of investigation represents a great analytical challenge. The aim of this work was to establish a fast, simple, and reliable LC-MS3 routine method for sensitive detection of THC-COOH in hair samples. Furthermore, the LC-MS3 method developed also included the detection of derivatized 11-hydroxy-∆9 -THC (11-OH-THC) as an additional marker of cannabis use. Hair sample preparation prior to detection of the two THC metabolites was based on digestion of the hair matrix under alkaline conditions followed by an optimized liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure. Sample preparation by LLE proved to be more suitable than solid-phase extraction (SPE) due to less laborious and time-consuming steps while still yielding satisfactory results. A significant improvement in analytical detection was introduced by multistage fragmentation (MS3 ), which led to enhanced sensitivity and selectivity and thus low limits of quantification (0.1 pg/mg hair). The MS3 method included two transitions for THC-COOH (m/z 343 → 299 → 245 and m/z 343 → 299 → 191) encompassing the quantifier (m/z 245) and the qualifier ion (m/z 191). The method was fully validated, and successful application to authentic toxicology case samples was demonstrated by the analysis of more than 2000 hair samples from cannabis users with THC-COOH concentrations determined ranging from 0.1 to >15 pg/mg hair.

Dataset allowing for the identification of three new synthetic cannabimimetics featuring a norbornyl methyl side chain by spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques.

Synthetic cannabimimetics (SC) are a diverse group of new psychoactive substances with varying potency and harm potential. New SCs appear on the drug market every year, and reliable and correct identification of these new derivatives independent from the matrix relies on the availability of verified spectra. Three new synthetic cannabimimetics featuring a norbornyl methyl side chain and varying core structure elements were identified in different seizures and forms. Cumyl-BC[2.2.1]HpMeGaClone and Cumyl-BC[2.2.1]HpMINACA were laced onto herbal blends, whereas Cumyl-BC[2.2.1]HpMICA was seized as a pure solid powder. The data collection process involves a comprehensive set of orthogonal analytical techniques allowing for the unambiguous identification of the respective endo- and exo-isomers. Furthermore, the diversity of analytical techniques allows a greater number of laboratories working in the field of forensic chemistry to confidently identify the substances described in our original research article [1]. Structure elucidation and analytical characterisation were performed within the EU-project ADEBAR plus using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-solid state infrared spectroscopy (GC-sIR), as well as solid and neat IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), and high resolution (HR)-LC-ESI-MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The raw analytical data files are included in the Mendeley repository alongside the individual spectra in a universally importable format. The use of the universal JCAMP format for storage of the spectra facilitates database maintenance and enables seamless integration of the verified spectra. Thus, the dataset enables other researchers worldwide to identify these three new SCs confidently.