The
Marquis reagent is a
chemical used to test
Ecstasy pills. The
reagent is able to detect
MDMA (Ecstacy),
2CB,
DXM,
DOM,
DOB,
amphetamine,
speed, and
methamphetamine. The Marquis Reagent is 9 parts concentrated
sulfuric acid (
H2SO4) and 1 part
formaldehyde (
CH2O). Pills are tested by scraping the pill over a white surface (like paper), and administering one drop to the
scrapings.
If the chemical turns black/purple, this indicates the presence of MDMA, MDA, MDE, or DXM. If the pill contains DXM, the color change will take 5 seconds or so, MDMA-like substances should change color instantly. The reagent will also react this way in the presence of opiates, which are never used as ecstasy adulterants (this wouldn't be cost efficient). A new testing reagent is now being used to differentiate between MDMA and DXM more clearly; it is called the Mecke reagent (green/black in the presence of MDMA, yellow with DXM, orange/purple for 2C-T-7)
If the chemical turns bright yellow or green, 2CB, DOM, or DOB are present.
If the chemical turns bright orange, amphetamines (speed) are present.
If the pill is PMA, no color change will occur (don't eat it!)
It is important to note that using these pill testing kits (available from www.dancesafe.org) do not indicate purity, just presence. DanceSafe runs a legal pill-testing laboratory, that you can safely (and anonymously) mail pills to for analysis (they won't send the pill back, obviously).