DiscovIR-GC™ 

The Solution to Isomer Identification 

and Complex Mixture Analysis

Drug exhibits have become more challenging over the years due to an increase in complex synthetic substances with many positional isomer and diastereomer possibilities. With the DiscovIR-GC® from Spectra Analysis Instruments,forensic and law enforcement labs can now easilyand rapidly identify designer drugs, by-products, and cutting agents with a higher level of specificity and discrimination

which is unattainable through mass spectrometry alone.

Spectra Analysis Instruments’ state-of-the-art technologyenables the coupling of gas chromatography to infrared spectroscopy for the separation and identification of controlled substance samples, clandestine lab materials and multi-component material samples. Designed as a“walk-up” instrument, its proprietary direct deposition/solidphase FTIR technology enables routine detection of substances such as fentanyl derivatives, synthetic cannabinoids, and phenethylamine type compounds I.E. methamphetamine, NBOMe compounds and cathinones. 

 

 

 

 

How Does It Work?

Upon exiting the GC column, the eluants are depositedas a collimated jet onto a cryogenically cooled samplecollection disk. The infrared ZnSe disk rotates under thedeposit tip to result in a spiral track of depositedsamples. A beam of infrared light from an interferometerpasses through the disk along the deposition track,and infrared spectral information is acquired by a MCTdetector. 

 

 

 

Key Applications : 

 •  Novel Psychoactive Substances

 •  Controlled Substances

 •  Chemical Weapons

 •  Pheromones

 •  Flavors and Fragrances

 •  Food and beverages

 •  Diastereomers 

 

 

Key Benefits :

Solid Phase Transmission Spectra
High-quality, solid-phase FTIR spectra acquired at 4 cm-¹ resolution.DiscovIR solid-phase spectra are acquired at -40°C andfeature sharp infrared bands.

 

Library Compatibility

The DiscovIR comes with pre-loaded libraries with over 1,200spectra, and you may build a library with spectra gathered bythe DiscovIR. DiscovIR spectra are also compatible with ATRand Transmission libraries, as well as additional FTIR librariesyou may acquire.

 

Solid Phase vs Gas Phase FTIR

DiscovIR differs from vapor phase or light pipe GC-IR systemsin that the sample is a solid deposition. With gas phasesystems, the molecules are free to rotate, leading to lowersensitivity, higher sample volume requirements, and broadspectral bands.

 

Infrared Provides Isomer Specific Spectra

With an infrared spectrum, DiscovIR provides unequivocaldifferentiation between isomers and other molecules withsimilar or identical mass spec patterns. Identification of thesecompounds can be difficult or impossible with mass spectrometryalone.

 

GC-IR Removes Complexity from Mixtures and Adulterants

A key benefit is the ability to obtain pure spectra of each componentin a mixture. GC-IR is ideal for multi-component analysisor adulterated samples.

 

Polystyrene Calibration

Fast and convenient daily verification routine using a NISTtraceable polystyrene standard.

 

SWGDRUG Category A Technique

DiscovIR-GC is a SWGDRUG Category A analysis. The GCanalytical workflow (sample preparation, injector mode, vialformat, column, etc) is fully transferable to the DiscovIR-GCsystem. 

System Overview
Operating Principle	Direct deposition of column eluent on cryogenically-cooled ZnSe sample disc
Detection Method	Built-in FTIR
IR Detector	0.1 x 0.1 mm MCT
IR Range	4000–700 Wavenumbers
Resolution	4 or 8 cm-1
Data Collection	Real-time, with post-run rescan
Spectrum Type	Transmittance through disc and solid-phase sample
Disc Capacity	About 50 hours of chromatography
Disc Temperature Control	-100 to –30°C; ambient to 100°C
Unattended operation	12 hours; Autosampler-compatible
Data Station
Platform	Standard Desktop computer w/ Microsoft Windows™
Spectroscopy Package	Thermo Galactic GRAMS/32 AITM
Standard Features	• Real-time and post-run data collect
	• Chromatographic / spectral workup
	• Band chromatograms for chemical classes
	• Ratio chromatograms for profiling trends
	• Alignment and tuning tools
Library Search	Library with 4,000 spectra of controlled substances
DiscovIR-GC Configuration
GC Flow Rates Accepted	0.1 to 5 ml/min
GC Temperatures	Programmed up to 420°C
Sensitivity	Picogram range (e.g. <200 pg of dodecane)
Chromatograph	Compatible with any GC system (user supplied)

 

Concentrates Analytes in Minimal Area

Cryogenic temperature control of the Sample Disc minimizes the area of the deposited analyte. This produces a thicker sample layer and therefore higher sensitivity of the absorbance spectrum, generating a practical result where gas phase detectors deliver little useful information.

Immobilizes Entire Run

The entire run is available to be scanned again to investigate subtle features or improve signal-to-noise. 

Applications

 Controlled Substance Analysis

 •  JWH-018 Isomers

 •  Fluoromethcathinone Isomers

 •  K-2 Sky Analysis

 •  Synthetic Cannabinoid Isomers

 •  Bath Salts

 •  Forensic Analysis of Drugs

 •  Infrared Spectra of Phenylethylamines Obtained by GC-IR

 •  Amphetamine Analysis

 •  Analysis of N-BOMe Compounds by GC-IR

 •  Analysis of NBOMe Isomers by Solid Phase GC-IR

 •  Analysis of Fluorofentanyl Isomer Compounds by Solid Phase GC-IR

 •  Fentanyl Analog Analysis Utilizing Gas Chromatography Coupled with the DiscovIR Solid Phase Infrared Detector

 

 Food and Agriculture

 •  Reading Tea Leaves

 •  IR Analysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters

 •  Essential Oils Analyzed by GC-IR

 •  Analysis of Commercial Fragrances by GC-IR

 General Analytical Needs

 •  Identification of Explosive Components and Isomers

 •  Infrared Analysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by Direct Deposition after Gas Chromatography

 •  Analysis of Commercial Fragrances by GC-IR

 •  Trace Level Analysis of Chemical Warfare Agents Related to Chemicals by GC-IR Solid Phase

 •  Selective Detection using Band Chromatograms

 •  Characterization of the DiscovIR-GC