Differentiation of Illicit Phenyl-2-Propanone Synthesized from Phenylacetic Acid with Acetic Anhydride Versus Lead (II) Acetate

• NCJ Number: 134466
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1992) Pages: 301-322
• Author(s): A C Allen; M L Stevenson; S M Nakamura; R A Ely
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1989, Las Vegas

Annotation

The illicit synthesis of phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) in clandestine drug laboratories from phenylacetic acid and acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate or pyridine (Route 1A) or from the dry distillation of phenylacetic acid and lead (II) acetate (Route 1B) was studied.

Abstract

The two routes were investigated using capillary gas chromatography combined with vapor phase Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron impact mass spectrometry detection and using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify 21 reaction byproducts. All samples were examined in the split mode, and reaction mechanisms for both routes leading to the target compound and various byproducts were evaluated. The investigation established numerous reaction byproducts in common between the two routes. Four route-specific compounds are identified to help the forensic chemist differentiate between the two routes. For Route 1A, route-specific compounds are the E- and Z-enol acetates of P2P; for Route 1B, route-specific compounds are bibenzyl and diphenylmethane. 54 references, 3 tables, and 15 figures (Author abstract modified)