Marquis reagent is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify alkaloids as well as other compounds. It is composed of a mixture of formaldehyde and concentrated sulfuric acid, which is dripped onto the substance being tested. The United States Department of Justice method for producing the reagent is the addition of 100 mL of concentrated (95–98%) sulfuric acid to 5 mL of 40% formaldehyde.[1]: 12 Different compounds produce different color reactions. Methanol may be added to slow down the reaction process to allow better observation of the colour change.[citation needed]
Marquis reagent was first discovered in 1896[2] and described by the Russian (Estonian) pharmacologist, Eduard Markus (1871–1944) (Russian: Эдуард Маркус)[3] in his magister dissertation in 1896;[4] and named after him,[5] and was tested for the first time at the University of Dorpat. The reagent should be stored in the freezer for maximum shelf life[6]
It is the primary presumptive test used in Ecstasy reagent testing kits. It can also be used to test for such substances as opiates (e.g. codeine, heroin), and phenethylamines (e.g. 2C-B, mescaline).
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:
Reagent test results develop very quickly and due to reactions with moisture and oxygen in air, any changes after the first 60 seconds should be discarded.[7]
| Substance | Color | Time (s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDMA or MDA | purple to black | 0–5 | May have dark purple tint |
| Amphetamine, or methamphetamine | orange to brown | 0–5 | May have a brown tint |
| 2C-B | yellow to green | 5–10 | Color may change from initial result[7] |
| DXM | gray to black | 15–30 | Initially no change; takes much longer to reach black than MDMA |
| Substance | Color |
|---|---|
| βk-2C-B | Bright orange 30min |
| 2C-B | Green-yellow 30min |
| 2C-I | Green-yellow 30min |
| 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB) | Olive green – yellow |
| 2-FMA | Rapidly fizzes and dissolves. Colourless/light yellow[citation needed] |
| 25I-NBOMe | Orange[citation needed] |
| 25C-NBOMe | Clear, Transparent[citation needed] |
| 25B-NBOMe | Dark green[citation needed] |
| 4F-MPH | Transparent, no reaction[citation needed] |
| 5-EAPB | Purple to black[citation needed] |
| 5-MeO-MiPT | Clear/light brown[9] |
| Aspirin | Pink > deep red[10][11][12] |
| Adrafinil | Deep reddish orange – dark reddish brown[citation needed] |
| Benzphetamine | Deep reddish brown |
| Benzylpiperazine(BZP) | Clear (fizzes) |
| Buprenorphine | Pinkish violet |
| Butylone | Yellow[8] |
| Chlorpromazine | Deep purplish red |
| Codeine | Very dark purple |
| Caffeine | Transparent, no change |
| Cocaine | Transparent, no change |
| d-Amphetamine | Strong reddish orange – dark reddish brown |
| d-Methamphetamine | Deep reddish orange – dark reddish brown |
| Diacetylmorphine (Heroin) | Deep purplish red |
| Dimethoxy-4-amylamphetamine (DMAA) | No color change (fizzes) |
| Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) | Orange |
| Diphenhydramine (DPH) | Yellow/orange > brown[13] |
| Dimethoxymethamphetamine HCL (DMMA) | Moderate olive |
| Doxepin | Blackish red |
| Dristan | Dark grayish red |
| Exedrine | Dark red |
| LSD | Olive black |
| Methoxetamine | Slow pink[8] |
| 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) | Dark purple – black |
| Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) | Dark purple – black |
| Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) | Dark purple – black |
| Methylenedioxypropylamphetamine (MDPR) | Dark purple – black |
| Methylone (M1/bk-MDMA/MDMC) | Yellow |
| Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) | Yellow |
| Pethidine/Meperidine | Deep brown |
| Mescaline | Strong orange |
| Methadone | Light yellowish pink |
| Methylphenidate | Moderate orange yellow |
| Methylene Blue | Dark green |
| Modafinil | Yellow/orange – brown[14] |
| Morphine | Deep purplish red |
| Opium | Dark grayish reddish brown |
| Oxycodone | Pale violet |
| Propoxyphene | Blackish purple |
| Sugar | Dark brown |
The colour change from morphine is proposed to be a result of two molecules of morphine and two molecules of formaldehyde condensing to the dimeric product which is protonated to the oxocarbenium salt.[15]