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The Liebermann reagent named after Hungarian chemist Leo Liebermann (1852-1926) is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify alkaloids as well as other compounds. It is composed of a mixture of potassium nitrite and concentrated sulfuric acid.[1][2] 1 g of potassium nitrite is used for every 10 mL of sulfuric acid.[3] Potassium nitrite may also be substituted by sodium nitrite.[4][5] It is used to test for cocaine, morphine, PMA and PMMA.
The test is performed by scraping off a small amount of the substance and adding a drop of the reagent (which is initially clear and colorless). The results are analyzed by viewing the color of the resulting mixture, and by the time taken for the change in color to become apparent.
| Substance | Color |
|---|---|
| Alprazolam | No reaction |
| Cocaine | Yellowish[2] |
| Morphine | Black[2][6] |
| Atropine | Red - orange |
| Yohimbine | Blue |
| PMA and PMMA | Purple - brown[7] |
| MDMA | Intense brown[8] - black[7] |
| Amphetamine | Orange to red[9] |
| Methamphetamine | Red[6] |
| 4-FA | Orange[10][11] |
| Cathinone | Bright yellow[8] |
| Methcathinone | Bright yellow[8] |
| 4-MMC | Bright yellow[8] |
| N,N-DMC | Faint yellow[8] |
| 3-FMC | No reaction[8] |
| 4-MOMC | Faint orange[8] |
| Methylone | Orange > brown[8] |
| MDPV | Yellow > green[8] |
| 4-Me-PPP | Orange[12] |
| Brephedrone | Yellow[12] |
| 4-MEC | Orange[12] |
| Pentedrone | Yellow[12] |
| 4-Methylbuphedrone | Yellow[12] |
| Buphedrone | Yellow[12] |
| Butylone | Yellow > brown[12] or green > brown[8] |
| 3,4-DMMC | Orange[12] |
| Naphyrone | Brown[12] |
| Benzedrone | Orange[12] |
| JWH-307 | Dark yellow[12] |
| AB-001 | Dark yellow[12] |
| CB-13 | Dark green[12] |
| JTE-907 | Black (bubbling)[12] |
| UR-144 | Dark red[12] |
| URB-597 | Yellow brown[12] |
| URB602 | Dark brown[12] |
| URB754 | Light brown[12] |
| AM-1248 | Dark yellow[12] |
| AB-034 | Red-orange > dark red[12] |
| A-796,260 | Red-orange > dark red[12] |
| A-834,735 | Red-orange > dark red[12] |
| FUR-144 | Dark red[12] |
| APINACA | No color change[12] |
| JWH-073 | Yellow - brown[12] |
| JWH-018 | Yellow - brown[12] |
| JWH-200 | Dark yellow - brown[12] |
| AM-2201 | Yellow - brown[12] |
| JWH-203 | Yellow - orange[12] |
| RCS-4-C4 homolog | Brown[12] |
| AM-694 | Dark yellow[12] |
| MAM-2201 | Green - brown[12] |
| AM-2233 | Yellow[12] |
| STS-135 (drug) | Brown[12] |
| 4-MeO-PCP | Brown[12] |
| Methoxetamine | Orange - brown[12] |
| Ethketamine | Pale yellow[12] |
| 3-HO-PCE | Dark brown[12] |
| 5-MeO-DALT | Dark brown - black[12] |
| 4-methyl-aET | Brown[12] |
| 4-AcO-DALT | Black[12] |
| 4-HO-MET | Black[12] |
| 4-HO-MIPT | Black[12] |
| 4-AcO-DET | Black[12] |
| DPT | Dark brown |
| aMT | Black[12] |
| 5-IT | Dark brown[12] |
| 5-APB | Black[12] |
| 6-APB | Dark purple[12] |
| Camfetamine | Dark red[12] |
| Methiopropamine | Dark brown[12] |
| MDAI | Green > black[12] |
| 5-IAI | Dark brown[12] |
| Pethidine | Red - orange[13] |
| Mescaline | Black[13] |
| Allylescaline | Brown - black[12] |
| 2C-T-2 | Red[12] |
| 2C-P | Green[12] |
| 2C-C | Yellow > black > clear |
| 2C-B | Yellow → black |
| b-methoxy-2C-D | Green[12] |
See also
Drug checking
Liebermann–Burchard test
Dille–Koppanyi reagent
Folin's reagent
Froehde reagent
Mandelin reagent
Marquis reagent
Mecke reagent
Simon's reagent
Zwikker reagent
References
Horowitz, Benjamin (2009). A Study of the Action of Ammonia on Thymol. Bibliolife. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-110-61089-1. Retrieved 2012-01-25. "Since his day the Liebermann reagent (6% potassium nitrite in conc. sulfuric acid) has been extensively used."
Bell, Suzanne (30 Jun 2004). Dictionary of Forensic Science (Facts on File Science Dictionary) (Facts on File Science Dictionary Series.). Facts on File Inc. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-8160-5131-1. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
Brittain, Harry G.; McLeish, Michael J (20 Mar 1998). Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients. Vol. 25. Academic Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-12-260825-4.
"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2015-02-01. "Liebermann Reagent: Carefully add 5 g sodium nitrite to 50 mL sulfuric acid with cooling and swirling."
Suzuki, Osamu; Watanabe, Kanako (16 January 2006). Drugs and Poisons in Humans: A Handbook of Practical Analysis. ISBN 9783540275794. "Liebermann's reagent: 2 g of sodium nitrate is dissolved in 20 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid."
"NARK® II Narcotics Test - NARK20031 - Liebermann Reagent - Meth/Morphine". Retrieved 11 December 2015.
EMCDDA (30 Mar 2011). EMCDDA Risk Assessment: Report on the Risk Assessment of PMMA in the Framework of the Joint Action on New Synthetic Drugs. Dictus Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-3-8433-2695-7. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
Toole KE, Fu S, Shimmon RG, Kraymen N (2012). "Color Tests for the Preliminary Identification of Methcathinone and Analogues of Methcathinone" (PDF). Microgram Journal. 9 (1): 27–32.
"How to test AMPHETAMINE?". 28 September 2020.
Uchiyama N, Kawamura M, Kamakura H, Kikura-Hanajiri R, Goda Y (2008). "Analytical Data of Designated Substances Controlled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, Part II: Color Test and TLC" (PDF). Yakugaku Zasshi. 128 (6): 981–7. doi:10.1248/yakushi.128.981. PMID 18520145.
"4-FA reaction colour results with liebermann and froehde reagent test kits". Reagent Tests UK. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
"Color Tests and Analytical Difficulties With Emerging Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory. 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
"Rapid Testing Methods of Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). United Nations International Drug Control Programme. 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
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