Thomas E. Kane

Surface-induced dissociation and ion—surface reactions at insulating surfaces

Insulators of macroscopic thickness (e.g. Teflon, adhesive tape) are used for surface-induced dissociation experiments by employing a cloud of low-energy electrons in close proximity to the surface. The spectra that result from collisions of mass-selected ions with these surfaces show molecular ion fragmentation and ion-surface reactions similar to those obtained with related hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers.

A Method for Identification of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Using a Microscope Sampling Device with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT/IR) Spectroscopy

The identification of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has posed an analytical challenge for forensic science laboratories. In those cases in which a few doses are seized, only microgram quantities are available, often in forms which make isolation of the miniscule amount of LSD difficult. A method is described which yields small crystals of pure LSD in a form well-suited for analysis using a microscope sampling device with a Fourier transform infrared (FT/IR) spectrometer. These crystals produce excellent spectra from samples containing less than 50 µg of LSD. Distinguishing between LSD, iso-LSD, and lysergic acid N-methylpropylamide (LAMPA) poses no problem with the spectra obtained. This scheme combines preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by wick evaporation, an old but not well-known technique for separating soluble components from high-solid mixtures without filtration.