Liebermann reagent

The Liebermann reagent named after Hungarian chemist Leo Liebermann (1852-1926) is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify alkaloids as well as other compounds. It is composed of a mixture of potassium nitrite and concentrated sulfuric acid. 1 g of potassium nitrite is used for every 10 mL of sulfuric acid. Potassium nitrite may also be substituted by sodium nitrite. It is used to test for cocaine, morphine, PMA and PMMA.

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.

Final colors produced by Liebermann Reagent with various substances
Substance	Color
Alprazolam	No reaction
Cocaine	Yellowish
Morphine	Black
Atropine	Red - orange^{[citation needed]}
Yohimbine	Blue^{[citation needed]}
PMA and PMMA	Purple - brown
MDMA	Intense brown - black
Amphetamine	Orange to red
Methamphetamine	Red
4-FA	Orange
Cathinone	Bright yellow
Methcathinone	Bright yellow
4-MMC	Bright yellow
N,N-DMC	Faint yellow
3-FMC	No reaction
4-MOMC	Faint orange
Methylone	Orange > brown
MDPV	Yellow > green
4-Me-PPP	Orange
Brephedrone	Yellow
4-MEC	Orange
Pentedrone	Yellow
4-Methylbuphedrone	Yellow
Buphedrone	Yellow
Butylone	Yellow > brown or green > brown
3,4-DMMC	Orange
Naphyrone	Brown
Benzedrone	Orange
JWH-307	Dark yellow
AB-001	Dark yellow
CB-13	Dark green
JTE-907	Black (bubbling)
UR-144	Dark red
URB-597	Yellow brown
URB602	Dark brown
URB754	Light brown
AM-1248	Dark yellow
AB-034	Red-orange > dark red
A-796,260	Red-orange > dark red
A-834,735	Red-orange > dark red
FUR-144	Dark red
APINACA	No color change
JWH-073	Yellow - brown
JWH-018	Yellow - brown
JWH-200	Dark yellow - brown
AM-2201	Yellow - brown
JWH-203	Yellow - orange
RCS-4-C4 homolog	Brown
AM-694	Dark yellow
MAM-2201	Green - brown
AM-2233	Yellow
STS-135 (drug)	Brown
4-MeO-PCP	Brown
Methoxetamine	Orange - brown
Ethketamine	Pale yellow
3-HO-PCE	Dark brown
5-MeO-DALT	Dark brown - black
4-methyl-aET	Brown
4-AcO-DALT	Black
4-HO-MET	Black
4-HO-MIPT	Black
4-AcO-DET	Black
DPT	Dark brown
aMT	Black
5-IT	Dark brown
5-APB	Black
6-APB	Dark purple
Camfetamine	Dark red
Methiopropamine	Dark brown
MDAI	Green > black
5-IAI	Dark brown
Pethidine	Red - orange
Mescaline	Black
Allylescaline	Brown - black
2C-T-2	Red
2C-P	Green
2C-C	Yellow > black > clear
2C-B	Yellow → black
b-methoxy-2C-D	Green

References

↑ Horowitz, Benjamin (2009). A Study of the Action of Ammonia on Thymol. Bibliolife. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-110-61089-1. Retrieved 2012-01-25. Since his day the Liebermann reagent (6% potassium nitrite in conc. sulfuric acid) has been extensively used.
1 2 3 Bell, Suzanne (30 Jun 2004). Dictionary of Forensic Science (Facts on File Science Dictionary) (Facts on File Science Dictionary Series.). Facts on File Inc. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-8160-5131-1. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
↑ Brittain, Harry G.; McLeish, Michael J (20 Mar 1998). Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients. Vol. 25. Academic Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-12-260825-4.
↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2015-02-01. Liebermann Reagent: Carefully add 5 g sodium nitrite to 50 mL sulfuric acid with cooling and swirling.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ Suzuki, Osamu; Watanabe, Kanako (16 January 2006). Drugs and Poisons in Humans: A Handbook of Practical Analysis. Springer. ISBN 9783540275794. Liebermann's reagent: 2 g of sodium nitrate is dissolved in 20 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid.
1 2 "NARK® II Narcotics Test - NARK20031 - Liebermann Reagent - Meth/Morphine". Retrieved 11 December 2015.
1 2 EMCDDA (30 Mar 2011). EMCDDA Risk Assessment: Report on the Risk Assessment of PMMA in the Framework of the Joint Action on New Synthetic Drugs. Dictus Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-3-8433-2695-7. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Toole KE, Fu S, Shimmon RG, Kraymen N (2012). "Color Tests for the Preliminary Identification of Methcathinone and Analogues of Methcathinone" (PDF). Microgram Journal. 9 (1): 27–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
↑ "How to test AMPHETAMINE?". 28 September 2020.
↑ Uchiyama N, Kawamura M, Kamakura H, Kikura-Hanajiri R, Goda Y (2008). "Analytical Data of Designated Substances Controlled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, Part II: Color Test and TLC" (PDF). Yakugaku Zasshi. 128 (6): 981–7. doi:10.1248/yakushi.128.981. PMID 18520145.
↑ "4-FA reaction colour results with liebermann and froehde reagent test kits". Reagent Tests UK. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 "Color Tests and Analytical Difficulties With Emerging Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory. 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
1 2 "Rapid Testing Methods of Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). United Nations International Drug Control Programme. 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-16.

[1] Horowitz, Benjamin (2009). A Study of the Action of Ammonia on Thymol. Bibliolife. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-110-61089-1. Retrieved 2012-01-25. Since his day the Liebermann reagent (6% potassium nitrite in conc. sulfuric acid) has been extensively used.

[Dictionary-2] 1 2 3 Bell, Suzanne (30 Jun 2004). Dictionary of Forensic Science (Facts on File Science Dictionary) (Facts on File Science Dictionary Series.). Facts on File Inc. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-8160-5131-1. Retrieved 2012-01-25.

[3] Brittain, Harry G.; McLeish, Michael J (20 Mar 1998). Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients. Vol. 25. Academic Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-12-260825-4.

[4] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2015-02-01. Liebermann Reagent: Carefully add 5 g sodium nitrite to 50 mL sulfuric acid with cooling and swirling.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[5] Suzuki, Osamu; Watanabe, Kanako (16 January 2006). Drugs and Poisons in Humans: A Handbook of Practical Analysis. Springer. ISBN 9783540275794. Liebermann's reagent: 2 g of sodium nitrate is dissolved in 20 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid.

[Liebermann_NARK_II-6] 1 2 "NARK® II Narcotics Test - NARK20031 - Liebermann Reagent - Meth/Morphine". Retrieved 11 December 2015.

[EMCDDA-7] 1 2 EMCDDA (30 Mar 2011). EMCDDA Risk Assessment: Report on the Risk Assessment of PMMA in the Framework of the Joint Action on New Synthetic Drugs. Dictus Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-3-8433-2695-7. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-01-25.

[Microgram-8] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Toole KE, Fu S, Shimmon RG, Kraymen N (2012). "Color Tests for the Preliminary Identification of Methcathinone and Analogues of Methcathinone" (PDF). Microgram Journal. 9 (1): 27–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2013-07-16.

[9] "How to test AMPHETAMINE?". 28 September 2020.

[Japanese-10] Uchiyama N, Kawamura M, Kamakura H, Kikura-Hanajiri R, Goda Y (2008). "Analytical Data of Designated Substances Controlled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, Part II: Color Test and TLC" (PDF). Yakugaku Zasshi. 128 (6): 981–7. doi:10.1248/yakushi.128.981. PMID 18520145.

[RTUK_4-FA-11] "4-FA reaction colour results with liebermann and froehde reagent test kits". Reagent Tests UK. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.

[Morris-12] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 "Color Tests and Analytical Difficulties With Emerging Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory. 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-16.

[UNlabmanual-13] 1 2 "Rapid Testing Methods of Drugs of Abuse" (PDF). United Nations International Drug Control Programme. 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-16.

Liebermann reagent

See also

References