Marquis reagent

Marquis reagent

The Marquis reagent is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify alkaloids as well as other compounds. It is composed of a mixture of formaldehyde and concentrated sulfuric acid, which is dripped onto the substance being tested. The United States Department of Justice method for producing the reagent is the addition of 100 mL of concentrated (95–98%) sulfuric acid to 5 mL of 40% formaldehyde.[1]:12 Different compounds produce different color reactions. Also, sometimes methanol is added to slow down the reaction process to observe the change in color better. Methanol does this by slowing down the polymerisation process.

It is the primary presumptive test used in Ecstasy testing kits. It can also be used to test for such substances as opiates (e.g. codeine, heroin), and phenethylamines (e.g. methamphetamine, amphetamine).

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:

Marquis reagent test analysis[2][3]
Substance Color Time (s) Notes
MDMA or MDA purple to black 0-5 may have dark purple tint
Amphetamine or Methamphetamine orange to brown 0-5 may have a brown tint
2C-B orange to green 5-10 color may change from initial result
DXM gray to black 15-30 initially no change; takes much longer to reach black than MDMA
Final colors produced by Marquis Reagent with various substances[1]:3–6
Substance Color
2C-B - 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine Green-Yellow
2C-I - 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine Green-Yellow
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB) Olive Green - Yellow
Aspirin Deep red
Benzphetamine HCl Deep reddish brown
Chlorpromazine HCl Deep purplish red
Codeine Very dark purple
d-Amphetamine HCl Strong reddish orange - Dark reddish brown
d-Methamphetamine HCl Deep reddish orange - Dark reddish brown
Diacetylmorphine HCl (Heroin) Deep purplish red
Dimethoxy-meth HCl Moderate olive
Doxepin HCl Blackish red
Dristan Dark grayish red
Exedrine Dark red
LSD Olive black
Mace Moderate yellow
Methylenedioxyamphetamine HCl (MDA) Black
Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine HCl (MDEA) Black
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine HCl (MDMA) Black
Methylone (M1/bk-MDMA/MDMC) Yellow
Pethidine/Meperidine HCl Deep brown
Mescaline HCl Strong orange
Methadone HCl Light yellowish pink
Methylphenidate HCl Moderate orange yellow
Morphine monohydrate deep purplish red
Opium Dark grayish reddish Brown
Oxycodone HCl Pale violet
Propoxyphene HCl Blackish purple
Sugar Dark brown

See also

References

External links



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