Sodium y-hydroxybutyric acid (NaC4H/O3, MM 126.09 g/mol), commonly known as GHB,
ID: 303699 • Letter: S
Question
Sodium y-hydroxybutyric acid (NaC4H/O3, MM 126.09 g/mol), commonly known as GHB, is a central nervous system depressant. Its structure is shown below: O Na In combination with alcohol, the ingestion of GHB causes sedation (sleepiness), a lack of inhibition (reckless behavior), and blackout memory loss. In addition, GHB can only be detected in urine within four hours of ingestion, which means by the time the person regains mental clarity it is usually undetectable. This makes GHB an attractive tool for sexual assailants to intoxicate their victims and take them home without their consent; as such, possession of GHB is a felony. The most common form of administration is adding a solution containing approximately 2g of GHB in the victim's drink without her knowledge. How many mg Na are contained in 2.0 g GHB? If you suspected your drink were adulterated with GHB, how would you be able to tell? (a) (b) Is GHB water-soluble or fat-soluble? Explain why GHB can only be detected in urine within a four-hour window (c) While the victim is never to blame, what advice would you give people already participating in drinking activities to minimize their risk of exposure to the drug?Explanation / Answer
1) The amount of Na can be determined by the relationship:
2 g GHB * (1 mol GHB / 126.09 gr GHB) * (1 mol Na / 1 mol GHB) * (23g Na / 1 mol Na) * (1000 mg / 1g) = 364.82 mg Na
The simplest qualitative reactions to detect the presence of GHB are:
Identification by formation of microcrystals using an aqueous solution of cupric nitrate and silver nitrate.
It can be detected without one of reagents by analyzing its precursor, the closed lactone, that is, butyrolacone, which has an oily, light-colored appearance and which is the precursor of GHB.
Colorimetric reactions with chlorophenol red and Schweppes reagent (aniline in alcoholic medium).
2) GHB is a carboxylic acid that is diluted only approximately 1% in water, so it is considered apolar substance, dilutable in organic components or oils.
The average life in the organism is short, about an hour, so its effects are brief. It is eliminated mainly in the liver, although 1% percent is eliminated in the urine. The elimination as well as the absorption is very fast at 6 hours no blood concentration is detected and at 12 no longer appears in the urine.
3) In nocturnal recreational activities, in public places, the first recommendation and the most important one is to be very careful and be attentive to the drinks that are being consumed.
Due to the effect of alcohol, we tend to downplay this, but we must be aware and take into account that anyone can try to commit an offense against us, and it is our duty to avoid it.
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