Investigation of the impurities found in methamphetamine synthesised from pseudoephedrine by reduction with hydriodic acid and red phosphorus.

Investigation of the impurities found in methamphetamine synthesised from pseudoephedrine by reduction with hydriodic acid and red phosphorus.

Forensic science international (1995-12-18)

K L Windahl, M J McTigue, J R Pearson, S J Pratt, J E Rowe, E M Sear

ABSTRACT

The synthesis of methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine via the reduction with hydriodic acid and red phosphorus was studied and the impurities which were generated, along with the methamphetamine, were investigated. Some of the impurities found have been reported previously, while the diastereoisomers of N-methyl-N-(alpha- methylphenethyl)amino-1-phenyl-2-propanone and the cis-cinnamoyl derivative of methamphetamine are reported here for the first time. Further work on the sequence of reactions occurring in this reduction is also reported.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

752851

Sigma-Aldrich

Hydriodic acid, 57 wt. %, distilled, 99.999% trace metals basis

398098

Sigma-Aldrich

Hydriodic acid, contains no stabilizer, ACS reagent, 55%

210013

Sigma-Aldrich

Hydriodic acid, contains no stabilizer, distilled, 57 wt. % in H₂O, 99.99% trace metals basis

210021

Sigma-Aldrich

Hydriodic acid, 57 wt. % in H₂O, distilled, stabilized, 99.95%

248649

Sigma-Aldrich

Hydriodic acid, contains ≤1.5% hypophosphorous acid as stabilizer, ACS reagent, ≥47.0%