Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (FAs) is becoming a major driver of opioid overdose. We have demonstrated that FT-Raman spectroscopy is a safe, fast, and complementary technique for the detection and identification of powders and other apprehended materials including fentanyl.
In this note, two examples of distinguishing FA isomers using FT-Raman spectroscopy are described. A pair of constitutional isomers: butyryl fentanyl and isobutyryl fentanyl, and a pair of geometric isomers: cis- and trans3-methyl fentanyl were analyzed by FT-Raman.