Abstract
The color reaction of various drugs with chromotropic acid and sulfuric acid was examined. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) exhibited a red-violet color on treatment of an aqueous solution with sulfuric acid and chromotropic acid. The specificity of the reaction was examined using 65 drugs. The results showed that while related drugs with a methylenedioxyphenyl moiety, such as methylenedioxy-amphetamine and -N-ethylamphetamine, were all positive, 51 drugs including amphetamine, methamphetamine, opiates, cocaine, and phencyclidine were negative. The drugs exhibiting a positive reaction include tetrahydrocannabinol and related drugs, sulfur-containing drugs such as phenothiazine tranquilizers, and diphenhydramine. These results indicate that the present method is highly specific for MDMA and related drugs although its specificity is not absolute. The detection of MDMA in urine was investigated, and found to be possible using this method.
