Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 19(1), 163 (2003).

Analysis of Reaction Products of Morphine and Codeine with Hydrogen Peroxide by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Seishi TANAKA,*  Reiko IIO,* Satoshi CHINAKA,* Nariaki TAKAYAMA,* and Kazuichi HAYAKAWA**
*Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, Hirosaka, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan
**Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
Changes in the chemical structures of morphine and codeine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a major component of hair dye and decolorant treatments, were examined with high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). A mixture of morphine and hydrogen peroxide solution, after incubation at 39°C for 24 h, produced two reaction products (hydroxymorphines). When codeine was used in place of morphine, one reaction product (hydroxycodeine) was produced, in which the benzene ring was hydroxylated.