Mandelin reagent
The Mandelin reagent is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify alkaloids as well as other compounds. It is composed of a mixture of ammonium metavanadate and concentrated sulfuric acid. Its primary use is for the detection of ketamine and PMA It is unusual among reagent tests that it has a very strong yellow colour prior to being used for testing, which forms within about 48 hours of mixing.
The United States Department of Justice method for producing the reagent is the addition of 100 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid to 0.5-1 g of Ammonium metavanadate.
This reagent was invented by the German pharmacologist, Karl Friedrich Mandelin at the University of Dorpat.
| Substance | Color |
| 2C-T-7 | Maroon to Black |
| Acetaminophen | Moderate olive |
| Benzphetamine | Brilliant yellow green |
| Chlorpromazine | Dark olive |
| Cocaine | Deep orange yellow |
| Codeine | Dark olive |
| d-Amphetamine | Moderate bluish green |
| d-Methamphetamine | Dark yellowish green |
| Diacetylmorphine | Moderate reddish brown |
| Dimethoxy-meth | Dark olive brown |
| Doxepin | Very reddish brown |
| Dristan | Greyish olive |
| Exedrine | Dark olive |
| Ketamine | Deep reddish orange |
| Mace | Moderate olive green |
| MDA | Bluish black |
| MDMA | Bluish black |
| Mescaline | Dark yellowish brown |
| Methadone | Dark greyish blue |
| Methaqualone | Very orange yellow |
| Methylphenidate | Brilliant orange yellow |
| Morphine monohydrate | Dark greyish reddish brown |
| Opium | Olive black |
| Oxycodone | Dark greenish yellow |
| Procaine | Deep orange |
| Propoxyphene | Dark reddish brown |
| Psilocybin | Green |
| Paramethoxyamphetamine | Reddish brown |
| Paramethoxymethamphetamine | Reddish brown |
| Salt | Strong orange |