Differentiation of methylenedioxybenzylpiperazines (MDBP) by GC–IRD and GC–MS

The substituted benzylpiperazine, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzylpiperazine (3,4-MDBP) and its regioisomer 2,3-methylenedioxybenzylpiperazine (2,3-MDBP) have almost identical mass spectra. Perfluoroacylation of the secondary amine nitrogen of these regioisomeric piperazines gave mass spectra with differences in relative abundance of some fragment ions. However the spectra did not yield any unique fragments for specific identification of one regioisomer to the exclusion of the other compound.Gas chromatographic separation coupled with infrared detection (GC–IRD) provides direct confirmatory data for structural differentiation between the two regioisomers. The mass spectrum in combination with the vapor-phase infrared spectrum provides for specific confirmation of each of the regioisomeric piperazines. The underivatized and perfluoroacyl derivative forms of the ring substituted benzylpiperazines were resolved on a 30-m capillary column containing an Rxi-50 stationary phase.