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Application notes (12)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 Results

Analysis of a Complex Mixture of 13 Benzodiazepines Using HPLC-PDA Detection

Featured Application notes

A mixture of thirteen NPS benzodiazepine standards was prepared at 200 µg/mL each and analyzed using HPLC‑PDA, with all compounds well resolved (Rs > 1.2). This streamlined method provides reliable chromatographic separation for both emerging and well established benzodiazepines and supports efficient, accurate detection in forensic and toxicological laboratories.

To cite this technical brief: Gregerson, M. Analysis of a Complex Mixture of 13 Benzodiazepines Using HPLC‑PDA Detection. Technical Brief, Cayman Chemical Company (2026).
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benzodiazepines hplc pda analysis

​Chromatographic Separation of 7-Hydroxy Mitragynine from Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl

Featured Application notes

​Key Features:

  • The co-elution of 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-HMG; 7-OH) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP), two important mitragynine-related alkaloids, by traditional GC-MS methods makes testing a challenge for analysts.
  • If testing methods are unable to resolve these two substances in casework, identification and quantification can become compromised.
  • The rise of consumer products on the drug market containing potent semi-synthetic opioids derived from kratom, such as 7-hydroxy mitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, is of great public health and safety concern.
  • Several chromatographic methods to achieve separation are explored in this application note. Method information presented herein may be used to assist labs in developing methods to identify and quantify 7-hydroxy mitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in seized drug analysis and/or toxicology cases.
Developed in collaboration with Dr. Alex Krotulski, NPS Discovery, Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE).

To cite this application note: Watson-Gooden, C., Pierzynski, H., Liu, J. et al. Chromatographic separation of 7-hydroxy mitragynine from mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. Application Note, Cayman Chemical Company (2026).
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Analysis of a Complex Mixture of Orphines Using HPLC-PDA Detection

Application notes

A mixture of thirteen piperidinylbenzimidazolone opioid standards (more commonly known as “orphines”) was prepared at 100 µg/mL each and analyzed using HPLC‑PDA, with all compounds well resolved (Rs > 1.2). This streamlined method delivers reliable chromatographic separation for emerging orphine opioids and supports fast, accurate detection in forensic and analytical labs.

To cite this technical brief: Gregerson, M. Analysis of a Complex Mixture of Orphines Using HPLC-PDA Detection. Technical Brief, Cayman Chemical Company (2026).
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Creating Custom Cannabis CRM Mixtures: Forty-seven Phytocannabinoids, One HPLC Method

Application notes

The development of custom phytocannabinoid certified reference material (CRM) mixtures requires a robust method to resolve coeluting components. This study presents the development and validation of a method addressing the separation of 47 phytocannabinoid compounds.

Highlights:

  • Chromatography was run on 47 phytocannabinoid compounds (12 acid and 35 neutral).
  • Co-eluting neutral compounds were identified and segregated for the acceptable validation of an HPLC method. 
  • This method supports Cayman’s quick turn production of custom phytocannabinoid CRMs.

To cite this application note: Franckowski, R., Gregerson, M., Calati, K., et al. Creating Custom Cannabis CRM Mixtures: Forty-seven Phytocannabinoids, One HPLC Method. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2025).

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​GC Separation of ADB-BUTINACA from its Precursor ADB-INACA

Application notes

Key Features

  • Coelution of ADB-BUTINACA and its synthetic precursor ADB-INACA makes traditional GC-MS methods difficult for the quantification of these two novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Quantities of these synthetic cannabinoids are distorted if the testing methods are unable to resolve the two substances in analyzed samples.
  • A new GC method for the separation of ADB-BUTINACA from its precursor ADB-INACA offers a reliable and robust solution for identifying this DEA Schedule I compound.

To cite this application note: Pierzynski, H.G., Liu, J., Calati, K.B., et al. GC separation of ADB-BUTINACA from its precursor ADB-INACA. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2024).

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GC Separation for Identification of iso-THC Contaminants and Accurate Quantification of Δ8 -THC and Δ9-THC in Cannabis Samples

Application notes

Key Features

  • Synthetic conversion of cannabidiol (CBD) to the tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs) Δ9-THC and Δ8 -THC produces measurable quantities of the iso-THC products Δ8-iso-THC and Δ4(8)-iso-THC.
  • Co-elution of THCs and iso-THCs makes C18 reversed phase-HPLC (RP-HPLC) methods unsuitable for the quantification of THCs. Quantities of THCs are distorted if the testing methods are unable to resolve the iso-THCs in analyzed samples.
  • Gas chromatography (GC) offers a reliable and robust method for quantification of Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC, Δ8-iso-THC, and Δ4(8)-iso-THC. Additionally, this method represents a method for identifying THC derived from CBD conversion.

To cite this application note: Williams, J.B., Liu, J., and Hering, K.W. GC separation for identification of iso-THC contaminants and accurate quantification of Δ8-THC and Δ9-THC in Cannabis samples. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2023).

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HPLC Method to Differentiate Four THC Stereoisomers Formed from Δ9-THC Degradation: (6aR,9R)-Δ10-THC, (6aR,9S)-Δ10-THC, 9(R)-Δ6a,10a-THC, and 9(S)-Δ6a,10a-THC

Application notes

Key Features

  • Δ10-THC and Δ6a,10a-THC isomers produced from Δ9-THC degradation have stereochemical similarities that are challenging to differentiate.
  • Traditional reversed-phase (C18) HPLC analysis is not suitable for accurate determination of these isomers.
  • A method using a chiral HPLC column under normal-phase conditions offers reliable and robust identification of the four stereoisomers.
  • Use of a chiral HPLC stationary phase for characterization of these phytocannabinoid degradants is an essential tool for the determination of potency and safety.

To cite this application note: Williams, J.B., Calati, K.B., Hering, K.W., et al., HPLC method to differentiate four THC stereoisomers formed from Δ9-THC degradation: (6aR,9R)-Δ10-THC, (6aR,9S)-Δ10-THC, 9(R)-Δ6a,10a-THC, and 9(S)-Δ6a,10a-THC. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2021).

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​Comparison of CRM Concentrations Among Four Different Reference Material Producers

Application notes

​Key Features

  • ISO-certified CRMs from multiple manufacturers are employed by analytical facilities to identify Cannabis components and report potency values.
  • Reference material consistency across vendors is needed to ensure accuracy of reporting.
  • We compare the reported concentration of 11 individual cannabinoid CRMs from four different reference material producers.
  • No significant variability in CRM concentrations exists among products produced under the ISO 17034 standard, reaffirming the competence of manufacturers.

To cite this application note: Goodwin, S.K., Franckowski, R.E., and Edwardsen, J.T. ​Comparison of CRM Concentrations Among Four Different Reference Material Producers. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2020).

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Analytical Data Confidence is Highest with Commercially Prepared CRM Mixtures

Application notes

High-quality reference materials with established metrological traceability are an essential element for measurement accuracy during routine analytical checks as well as for Cannabis product quality testing and profiling. We compare two different methods using certified reference materials (CRMs) to generate a standard for the quantitation of ten prevalent phytocannabinoids against a calibration curve to show that premade multicomponent CRM mixtures improve quantitation accuracy.

To cite this application note: Miller, M.G., Goodwin, S.K., and Franckowski, R.E. Analytical data confidence is highest with commercially prepared CRM mixtures. Cannabis Science and Technology 2(4), 2-3 (2019).
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CRM Mixtures Improve Quantitation Accuracy

Application notes

​Key Features:

  • High-quality reference materials with established metrological traceability are an essential element for measurement accuracy.
  • Reproducibility errors that arise during standard curve preparations using certified reference materials (CRMs) may stem from inherent variability around pipetting procedures.
  • We compare two different methods to generate a standard for the quantitation of ten prevalent phytocannabinoids against a calibration curve.
  • Pre-made, multi-component CRM mixtures save time and consumable cost in the preparation of standard curves and improve quantitation accuracy during routine analytical checks as well as Cannabis product quality testing and profiling.
To cite this application note: Miller, M.G., Goodwin, S.K., and Franckowski, R.E. CRM mixtures improve quantitation accuracy. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2019).
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Methods to Differentiate Base Peak 257 Fentanyls: Methacrylfentanyl, Cyclopropyl Fentanyl, and Crotonyl Fentanyl

Application notes

Key Features

  • Isobaric fentanyl analogs pose a challenge to identification and differentiation in forensic casework.
  • A method has been developed to separate methacrylfentanyl, cyclopropyl fentanyl, and crotonyl fentanyl by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
  • Close-eluting cyclopropyl fentanyl and crotonyl fentanyl were differentiated by Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
  • A convenient and inexpensive technique to differentiate cyclopropyl fentanyl and crotonyl fentanyl by thin layer chromatography (TLC) was also determined.
To cite this application note: Pierzynski, H.G., Liu, J., Miller, M., et al. Methods to differentiate base peak 257 fentanyls: Methacrylfentanyl, cyclopropyl fentanyl, and crotonyl fentanyl. Application Note, Cayman Chemical (2019).
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​The Analysis of Synthetic Drugs of Abuse by GC-VUV

Application notes

​GC-VUV provides a robust analytical alternative capable of the rapid identification and quantitation of these drugs of abuse. The VGA universal gas chromatography detector delivers excellent measurement sensitivity and unmatched selectivity without the need for chromatographic baseline resolution or continuous calibration.

To cite this application note: The analysis of synthetic drugs of abuse by GC-VUV. Application Note, VUV Analytics (2017).

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 Results