Application of solid-phase microextraction combined with derivatization to the enantiomeric determination of amphetamines

The utility of combining chiral derivatization and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the enantiomeric analysis of primary amphetamines by liquid chromatography has been investigated. Different derivatization/extraction strategies have been evaluated and compared using the chiral reagent o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA)–N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and fibres with a Carbowax-templated resin coating. Amphetamine, norephedrine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) were used as model compounds. On the basis of the results obtained, a new method is presented based on the derivatization of the analytes in solution followed by SPME of the OPA–NAC derivatives formed. The proposed conditions have been applied to determine the compounds of interest at low ppm levels (≤10 μg/ml) in aqueous and urine samples. Data on the linearity, reproducibility, sensitivity and selectivity are given. The utility of the described procedure for the quantification of amphetamine, norephedrine and MDA enantiomers in different kind of samples is also discussed.