Thin-layer chromatographic procedure for the detection, isolation and identification of basic psychotropic drugs in urine.

A procedure is described for the detection and identification of basic psychoactive drugs in urine. In the analytical system proposed, detection is dependent on thin-layer chromatography and chromophoric spraying of the resulting chromatogram. Identification is based on the extractability of the compound at the pH applied, on RF values in two solvents, on colour characteristics after exposure to a sequence of reagents, on fluorescence and UV-absorption characteristics, on retention times in different gas-liquid chromatographic systems and on the behaviour in ion-pair extraction with methyl orange. The procedure has been applied to some narcotic alkaloids and amines which exhibit central stimulant action.