The Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds from Synthetic Cathinone Derivatives for the Development of Odor Mimic Training
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Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 6-1-2017 The deI ntification of Volatile Organic Compounds from Synthetic Cathinone Derivatives for the Development of Odor Mimic Training Aids Vanquilla Shellman Francis Florida International University, [email protected] DOI: 10.25148/etd.FIDC001965 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Analytical Chemistry Commons Recommended Citation Francis, Vanquilla Shellman, "The deI ntification of Volatile Organic Compounds from Synthetic Cathinone Derivatives for the Development of Odor Mimic Training Aids" (2017). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3370. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3370 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida THE IDENTIFICATION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM SYNTHETIC CATHINONE DERIVATIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ODOR MIMIC TRAINING AIDS A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in CHEMISTRY by Vanquilla Shellman Francis 2017 To: Dean Michael R. Heithaus College of Arts, Sciences and Education This dissertation, written by Vanquilla Shellman Francis, and entitled The Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds from Synthetic Cathinone Derivatives for the Development of Odor Mimic Training Aids, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this dissertation and recommend that it be approved. _______________________________________ Norman Munroe _______________________________________ John Berry _______________________________________ Watson Lees _______________________________________ Anthony DeCaprio _______________________________________ Kenneth G. Furton, Major Professor Date of Defense: June 1, 2017 The dissertation of Vanquilla Shellman Francis is approved. _______________________________________ Dean Michael R. Heithaus College of Arts, Sciences and Education _______________________________________ Andrés G. Gil Vice President for Research and Economic Development And Dean of the University Graduate School Florida International University, 2017 ii © Copyright 2017 by Vanquilla Shellman Francis All rights reserved. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank God, for without Him none of the work and success I have had thus far would have been achieved. I would like to say thank you to my parents Yulanda and Nelson Shellman. Thank you for all the love and guidance you have given me since I entered into this world. Thank you for always believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you for being the shoulders I needed to cry on and my direct line to Christ when I felt like giving up. Words can never truly express how blessed I am to have such amazing parents like you guys. For Dr. Tiana Coleman, from the moment I entered into your classroom in the 8th grade, you and Mrs. Cabrera have continuously held my hand and encouraged me to strive for greatness. You are more than a mother figure to me, you are a voice of reason in the midst of any storm and I thank you for continuously being there throughout the years. To my siblings (Alexis, Vanessa, and Chris) I miss you all more than words can express. It has been hard being without my best friend (Alexis) and being so far from the people I have known all my life. I thank you guys for the love and support and always keeping me reminded of who I truly am. To the man that has changed my life for the better, my husband Jeffery Francis, I love you. From the first moment we met in our biochemistry class at FIU to this very moment you have been by my side. You have been the true definition of a great support system, a rock, and an oasis. You have sacrificed so much for me to get to this point in my life. You continuously lift me up when I have fallen, correct me when I am wrong, and continuously awake the true meaning of happiness within me. Obtaining this iv doctorate would not have been possible with you and my parents. I cannot wait to begin the next chapter of our lives together and I pray that the years to come only bring us closer and we will be able to achieve great things. To my fellowships, McKnight and McNair, thank you for supporting me throughout all my endeavors. To my second family, the Furtonettes, where should I begin? I would like to thank Iris for taking me under her wing and showing me how to be a great scientist. You taught me how to conquer the beast known as the Varian. To Adhly, you are truly more than a colleague; you are my sister. You have been my family away from my family, my home away from my home. We walked together through this journey and I am grateful to know that our journey doesn’t end here. To Rodolfo and Philip, the two of you are amazing. You guys have made this journey so much more bearable and enjoyable. Thank you for all the laughter and support throughout the years. To my unwanted big brother, Howard Holness, thank you. You have pushed me when I didn’t want to be pushed. You have challenged me into bettering myself not only as a person but as a scientist. You truly deserve your own day to be recognized for all you continue to do. Dr. Kenneth G. Furton, thank you for forcing me into this doctoral program when I first met you 7 years ago. Thank you for seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself at that time. Lastly, to the babies in the lab, Alice and Kelvin, I am honored to have gotten the chance to teach you, scold you, and laugh with you over the past two years. I have no doubt you will both will conquer this program and continue on the traditions and integrity set forth in this lab. v ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION THE IDENTIFICATION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM SYNTHETIC CATHINONE DERIVATIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ODOR MIMIC TRAINING AIDS by Vanquilla Shellman Francis Florida International University, 2017 Miami, Florida Professor Kenneth G. Furton, Major Professor Methylone, Ethylone, Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and α- Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) collectively referred to as bath salts are a new trend of illicit substances known as synthetic cathinones. Designed by chemically modifying the core structure of the compound cathinone, synthetic cathinones became prevalent within the United States around the mid-2000s. As a cheap and less controlled alternative to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), it has become heavily abused, prompting emergency scheduling by federal regulators. Although regulations have been placed to halt incoming traffic of these drugs, lack of ground efforts still leave a large percentage of bath salts available. This study is two-fold, as it seeks to develop an extraction method for the development of Volatile Organic Compound profiles associated with various synthetic vi cathinones; and also determine the odorant used for canine recognition. The initial goal of this dissertation was to develop an extraction method to characterize various cathinone derivatives. The present study concluded that by employing a Polydimethylsiloxane Divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) coated fiber along with complimentary soft ionization techniques, the volatile components and all parent drugs could be identified within sixteen synthetic cathinone cases. The second goal of the dissertation was to assess and enhance the detection capabilities of narcotic detection teams. Canine field detection is routinely used to stop the increasing distribution influx of drugs into the United States that go undetected by standard procedures currently employed. Although currently canines can detect a multitude of drugs including heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine; this study revealed that more than ten canine teams (throughout south Florida) were not able to detect the presence of synthetic cathinones with current training material. While concerns have grown concerning the safety and reliability of canines being trained on various illicit substances, this research aimed to develop a safe, efficient, controlled alternative to training any canine for detection in the form of a Controlled Mimic Permeation System (COMPS). Field examination concluded that 3,4- methylenedioxypriophenone was the odorant responsible for the canine recognition of the cathinone derivative odor. Therefore a mimic training aid was developed and deployed within the field to enhance the detection capabilities of various canine teams. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 2 Literature Review ........................................................................................................ 4 2.1 DEA and Illicit Drugs .......................................................................................... 4 2.2 Khat ...................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Bath Salts and its History ................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 History......................................................................................................... 13 2.3.2