Rapid-screening detection of acetildenafils, sildenafils and avanafil by ion mobility spectrometry

Ion mobility spectrometry was used as a rapid screening tool for the detection of acetildenafils, sildenafils and avanafil within adulterated herbal supplement matrices. Acetildenafils show a tendency for partial fragmentation during the desorption/ionization process affording two peaks in the ion mobility spectrum in addition to the intact compound. The fragmentation appears to occur α to the carbonyl group along the CN bond attaching the piperazine moiety, producing a common fragment (Ko = 1.0280 cm2 V−1 s−1) along with the respective piperazine fragment. The sildenafils and avanafil afford one molecular ion peak per compound.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► IMS used to test herbal supplements for undeclared ED adulterants. ► 8 Viagra® analogs and the new Stendra™ drug were detected at low levels. ► Acetildenafil analogs analyzed by IMS are reported for the first time.