Amphetamines and their analysis by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography in combination with mass spectroscopy

History of use and abuse of amphetamines, their biological, physical and chemical properties and a survey of amphetamine methods of analysis by capillary GC and by GC-MS are presented. The methods are classified according to the sample matrix (powder, tablets, blood, plasma, urine and hair). Sample preparation (headspace analysis, headspace/solid phase microextraction, solid phase extraction, derivatization), injection, separation and detection systems. The use of various derivatization reagents and derivatization procedures is discussed in detail. The paper is based on 40 references.