Quantitative determination of enantiomeric compounds. I--Simultaneous measurement of the optical isomers of amphetamine in human plasma and saliva using chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of the optical isomers of amphetamine from human plasma and saliva is described. Amphetamine was extracted from basified plasma or saliva with hexane and then derivatized by reaction with N-pentafluorobenzoyl-S-(-)-prolyl-1-imidazolide. The reaction of the amphetamine enantiomers with this chiral reagent yields diasteriomers which are easily resolved by gas liquid chromatography. The resolved diasteriomers upon elution from the gas chromatograph were measured quantitatively by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Plasma and saliva levels achieved following the oral administration of 10 mg of dl-, d- and l-amphetamine in man are reported.