Potassium Nitrite Reaction With 11-Nor-Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-Carboxylic Acid in Urine in Relation to the Drug Screening Analysis

• NCJ Number: 182669
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 951-955
• Author(s): Samuel A. Lewis Sr.; Linda A. Lewis Ph.D.; Albert Tuinman Ph.D.
• Editor(s): R. E. Gaensslen PhD
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 5 pages
• Contract Number(s): DE-AC05-84OR21400
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Energy
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Recently, potassium nitrite has been used as an adulterant to interfere with the analysis of 11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in urine.

Abstract

A comprehensive study of the THC-COOH and nitrate reaction chemistry and stability under various conditions is presented. Reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography and negative electro-spray mass spectrometry results are given to substantiate the derived reaction mechanism and properties leading to reaction termination. The addition of potassium carbonate as a buffering agent prior to or following sample void, as a means of preventing the formation of a nitroso-complexed form of 11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid, is evaluated. Data show potassium nitrate added to urine containing THC-COOH is very reactive toward the phenolic compound. 10 references, 1 table, and 3 figures