Origin of Alkenes in Illicit Amphetamine: An Examination of the Illicit Synthesis of Phenyl-2-Propanone

• NCJ Number: 140072
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 1311-1318
• Author(s): I J Forbes; K P Kirkbride
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines neutral substances found in products confiscated by an illicit laboratory engaged in the synthesis of amphetamine.

Abstract

It is shown that the acylative decarboxylation reaction of phenylacetic acid, a method used in clandestine laboratories for synthesizing phenyl-2-propanone, is accompanied by side reactions that produce characteristic neutral compounds. Some of these compounds include cis and trans 1,3-diphenyl-2-methylpropene and enol acetates derived from dibenzylketone and phenyl-2-propanone. An unskilled chemist would have difficulty separating neutral substances from phenyl-2-propanone; therefore, illicit phenyl-2- propanone is likely to be an impure product. The use of crude phenyl-2-propanone in reductive amination reactions aimed at amphetamine production causes a complex mixture of amines and characteristic neutral compounds. Likely origins of N-acetylamphetamine and amphetamine benzaldimine are discussed. 10 references and 6 figures