Vibrational spectrum of strychnine: detection at the nanogram level using a Raman microscope

✍ Scribed by V. Anantha Narayanan; Nathan A. Stump; Guillermo D. Del Cul; Tuan Vo-Dinh

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 132 KB
• Volume: 30
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0377-0486
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4555(199906)30:6<435::aid-jrs391>3.0.co;2-s

✦ Synopsis

The complete vibrational spectra of strychnine is reported. Strychnine, a compound with medicinal value at the proper dosage, is also a potent toxin at certain concentration levels. Down to 5 ng of strychnine were detected from its spectrum using a microscope attached to a Raman spectrophotometer. The complete Raman and Fourier transform IR spectra were also recorded for positive identification. The prominent vibrational band wavenumbers useful as a reference source for the identification of strychnine in an emergency situation are discussed. The Raman spectra of a bulk sample and of a strychnine microcrystal are given to facilitate positive identification. The potential application of the vibrational analysis of strychnine for forensic diagnostics is discussed.