Introduction.
The determination of cyanide has a high relevance in forensic toxikology. Different methods are described in literature to detect cyanide from various matrices. An overview of relevant methods as well as a self developed method for detecting and quantifying cyanide in human blood samples is given. This method is based on the formation of nitril-substituted isoindoles after reaction of cyanides with aromatic o-dialdehydes and amines. Cyanide is released as HCN after micro diffusion and detect after „derivation“ as 2-adamantyl-2-yl-2H-isoindol-1-carbonitril.
Materials and methods.
A GC/MS-vial has filled with 20 mg iron powder and 200 μl human blood. After addition of the internal standard (KC13N15, 0.5 μg/ml), the sample has mixed for 1 h at room temperature. 100 μl 10% H2SO4 is added to the mixture. A vial-insert without bottom spring has filled with 25 μl 2 μM phthalaldehyde, 5 μl 50 μM 1-adamantylamine, and 30 μl methanol. The insert has been set into the GC/MS-vial, closed, and shaked for 30 min. Measurement has been performed directly from the insert using GC/MS operating in selected ion mode using a standard gc column (VF-5 ms).
Results.
After synthesis, the CN-derivate was analyzed by NMR (1H, 13C, 13C-DEPT) and characterized by EI-MS. The method has been validated for concentrations of 0,1-10 μg/ml (BG<0.05 ΜG/ML)="" AND="" USED="" TO="" DETERMINE="" CYANIDE="" CONCENTRATIONS="" IN="" BLOOD="" SAMPLES="" FROM="" BURNED="">
Discussion.
The described method is a robust, selective, and sensitive tool to detect cyanide concentrations in human whole blood samples. No interferences were observed. Since no special equipment is requires, this method could be easily adapted to other laboratories.