Analysis of Red Dawn Vector Shots Analysis of Red Dawn Vector Shots Ryan Crowder and Victoria Geisler Department of Chemistry, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia Introduction Red Dawn Vector Shot is a substance that can be bought legally. It is advertised as being a mood and euphoria enhancer, and is compared to the illegal drug ecstasy. The purpose of this research is to find out what chemicals are in Red Dawn Vector shots, and then compare them to the listed ingredients. Also effects of the individual chemicals will be listed to show that just because Red Dawn Vector Shots are legal, it does not mean that it is safe. To do this, a standard extraction procedure was used to separate the organic acid, organic base, and organic neutral. Samples of these three will then be put threw the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry machine. Methods In order to extract the organic acid, organic base, and organic neutral from the Red Dawn Vector Shot the Red Dawn liquid was poured into a separatory funnel along with 1M HCl and Methylene Chloride (trial 1) or Ethyl Acetate (trial 2). The organic and aqueous layers were separated, and the organic layer was washed with NaOH and the aquesous layer was neutralized with 2M NaOH. The organic layer was dried and rotovaped to give the organic base. Methylene Chloride (trial 1) or Ethyl Acetate (trial 2) was added to to combined aqueous layers and separated into the organic acid and a disposable aqueous layer. NaOH was then added to the first aqueous layer to separate it into the organic base and another disposable aqueous layer. Samples were then taken of the organic acid, organic neutral and the organic base and run threw the GC machine. References Acknowledgements Dr. Victoria Geisler, Research Advisor National Science Foundation, STEP Grant # DUE All the chemistry professors at the University of West Georgia. Supported By NSF REU and STEP Listed Ingredients and their effects on the human body 5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is marketed as an antidepressent, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid. L-Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress and may produce feelings of relaxation. 4-amino-3-Phenylbutyric acid May reduce symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, May reduce symptoms of anxiety, May suppress appetite, May help with premenstrual symptoms, Helpful for some cases of depression. Caffeine acts as a stimulant. Yohimbine is sometimes used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It may create numerous side effects such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and overstimulation, anxiety, insomnia and sleeplessness. Synephrine is a drug aimed at fat loss. an alternative to ephedrine, a related substance which has been made illegal due to concerns about potential problems with heart disease risk and its use in methamphetamine manufacture. Results Red Dawn + 1M HCl + CH2Cl2 (trial 1) or Ethyl Acetate (trial 2) Washed with 2M NaOH Dried and rotovaped to give Organic Base Discarded Neutralized with 2M NaOH Dried and rotovaped to give Organic Neutral Acidified with 1M HCl Dried and rotovaped to give Organic Acid Discarded Aqueous Layer Organic Layer Separation flow chart Results in Table 1are from trial 1 in which methylene chloride was used as the extraction solvent. It was verified that caffeine as well as saccharin, an artificial sweetener that is not listed in the ingredients, exist in Red Dawn. Organic Layer Aqueous Layer Organic Layer Aqueous Layer *Caffeine was verified as being an actual ingredient. Retention Timem/ePossible Identification amino-3- phenylbutyic acid amino-3- phenylbutyic acid ? Caffeine* Table 1: GC/MS results from trial 1 MS Results for Caffeine: GC results for neutral fraction of trial 2 Caffeine Saccharin