Comparison of mass spectrometric ionization techniques for the analysis of phenethylamines

It is predicted that lower limits of detection can be obtained for some amphetamines - 3,4(methylenedioxy)amphetamine (MDA), 3,4-(methylenedioxy)methylamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-(methylenedioxy)-N-ethyl amphetamine (MDEA) - with the use of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry by thermospray, electrospray, and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interfaces. The lowest detection limits are obtained with the thermospray interface; when a tandem mass spectrometric selected reaction monitoring technique is used in the product ion mode, the limits of detection are in the low picogram range for the amphetamines.