Color Tests for the Preliminary Identification of Methcathinone and Analogues of Methcathinone.

The preliminary identification of methcathinone and analogues of methcathinone presents a new and growing challenge to law enforcement. Color tests remain an important tool for the preliminary testing of suspected illicit drug samples. In this study, the applicability of a range of color tests to the preliminary identification of methcathinone and analogues of methcathinone was explored. It was found that Marquis reagent is suitable for the preliminary identification of methylenedioxy-substituted analogues of methcathinone. Liebermann's reagent was identified as an appropriate test for the preliminary identification of cathinone, methcathinone and 4-methylmethcathinone. Both of these color tests give rise to intensely yellow colored products. Liebermann's reagent also produced yellow and orange products upon reaction with N,N-dimethylcathinone and 4-methoxy-methcathinone respectively, although these products were less intensely colored. A testing sequence incorporating these tests was utilized on seized illicit drug samples and found to be suitable for use in routine casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]