Process and quick-action reagent for the detection of narcotics

• US 3,955,926 A
• Filed: 02/12/1973
• Issued: 05/11/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Fischer, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolk, Morris O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marantz, Sidney
• Application Number:
  US05/331,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 23/230 B, 23/253 TP, 23/292, 252/408
• US Class Current: 436/92
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/22 using chemical indicators G01N31/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/94 involving narcotics or drugs or pharmaceuticals, neurotransmitters or associated receptors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/141111 Diverse hetero atoms in same or different rings [e.g., alkaloids, opiates, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/145555 Hetero-N
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/147777 Plural nitrogen in the same ring [e.g., barbituates, creatinine, etc.]

Abstract

A quick-action reagent for the detection of narcotics comprising a solvent for the narcotic and a color reagent, at least one component of which is impregnated in an absorbent substrate.

Claims

1. In a process for the detection of narcotics by dissolution of the unknown in a solvent for the narcotic and contacting the solution with a multi-component color reagent for the narcotic, the improvement wherein (a) samples of the unknown are separately tested for heroin and for morphine derivatives with a multi-component reagent for heroin and a multi-component reagent for morphine derivatives, (b) at least one component of each of said reagents is in dry form impregnated in an absorbent support and the remaining component thereof is in liquid form, (c) the component of the reagent for heroin in liquid form is a solution of benzylamine and iodic acid in dilute acid and the dry component thereof is an absorbent support impregnated with ferric chloride, an alkali tartrate and an alkali carbonate, and (d) the liquid component for morphine derivatives is sulfuric acid and the dry component thereof is an absorbent support impregnated with hexamethylenetetramine.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the component of the reagent for heroin in liquid form is a solution of benzylamine and 0.1% iodic acid and 1 N HCl and the dry component is paper impregnated with a solution of about 0.5% ferric chloride, about 2.5% sodium tartrate and 15% sodium carbonate in water and then dried.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the component of the reagent for morphine derivatives in liquid form is 65-95% sulfuric acid and the absorbent for the component thereof in dry form is paper.