Table Of ContentAMPHETAMINE
SYNTHESES
REVISED
INDUSTRIAL
EDITION
by Otto Snow
ii AMPHETAMINE SYNTHESES INDUSTRIAL
AMPHETAMINE SYNTHESES INDUSTRIAL EDITION
Copyright © 2002 Otto Snow
ISBN: 0-9663128-3-X (2002) ISBN-13: 978-0-9663128-3-6
LCCN: 2002093827
"Amphetamine Syntheses will become a "must have" for lawyers,
police officers, chemists, counselors and everyone else working in or on
the fringes of psychoactives," Dr. James R. Young.
Created and printed in the USA. Second Printing May 2008
All rights reserved. No part of this book maybe reproduced, in
part or in whole without prior written permission from author. The book
may not be stored, transferred by electronic means or any other forms
of data storage or transfer.
Materials contained within this volume prepared for and appear
ing in government documentation are not covered by above-mentioned
copyright. The source of brief excerpts from previously published materi
als is credited and not covered under above-mentioned copyright.
Published by: Thoth Press
P.O. Box 6081
Spring Hill, Fl34611
Other books by Otto Snow.
LSD
ISBN: 0-9663128-4-8 (2003) ISBN-13: 978-0-9663128-4-3
LCCN: 2003113378
"It is a thing of Beauty," Dr. Alexander & Ann Shulgin.
LOVE DRUGS
ISBN: 978-0-9663128-6-7 (2005) ISBN-13: 978-0-9663128-6-7
LCCN: 2005903710
THC & TROPACOCAINE
ISBN: 0-9663128-5-6 (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0-9663128-5-0
LCCN: 2004095181
OXY
ISBN: 0-9663128-2-1 (2001) ISBN-13: 978-0-9663128-2-9
LCCN: 2001118636
Cover design graphics by Ted Stockowski. Updated by Otto.
iii
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to my father, Harry Snow (1921 - 1994)
I am in appreciation of: L. Lewin, E. Spath, A. Heffter, G. Alles,
A. Shulgin, C. Naranjo, T. Sargent, D. Nichols, G. Greer, M. Stolaroff,
and all those explorers (too numerous to name) who opened a path into
the great unknown, unraveling the mysteries of the brain-mind.
I also want to acknowledge those who unravel the mysteries of
the galaxies, stars and beyond, namely Carl Sagan, Copernicus and
Galileo.
I want to thank the following: National Institute on Drug Abuse
for their publications and help in locating specific toxicological studies;
Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Intelligence; U.S. Patent
Office; British Patent Office; Eric Sterling of the Criminal Justice Policy
Foundation for directing me to look into the Congressional Hearings
concerning int erpreta tion of the Analogue Act of 1986; Alexander Shulgin
for his insight and words of encouragement.
"(ID every public action which is not customary, either is wrong
or, if it is right, is a dangerous precedent.
It follows that nothing should ever be done for the first time."
Cornford 1908
"Nothing will ever be attempted
if all possible objections must be first overcome."
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Question: ". .. the rats are saying it (MDMA) seems to be
amphetamine-like but, in fact, it really is not..."
"Obviously no one knows what the rats are thinking. .. "
Richard A. Glennon 1988
"Recreation is therapy; at least that's what people tell me."
Otto Snow 1992
"Fill the seats ofj ustice with good men,
not so absolute in goodness as to forget what human frailty is."
Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd
iv AMPHETAMINE SYNTHESES INDUSTRIAL
Table of Contents
Chapter Page
Dedication ----------------------------------------~--------------------- iii
Reader's N otice ------------------------------------------------------- viii
Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------- xi
1 Amphetamine Laboratories ---------------------------------- 1
Laboratory Statistics ----------------------------------------------- 3
MDMA Production -------------------------------------------------- 5
The Chemist ----------------------------------------------------------- 7
2 Methamphetamine Laboratories ---------------------------12
Methamphetamine Terms ----------------------------------------- 12
Primary Methamphetamine Production Methods ----------13
Assessment of the Threat ------------------------------------------14
Production With the United States ----------------------------- 14
Production Outside the United States -------------------------15
New Hampshire Production ---------------------------------------16
Kansas Production ---------------------------------------------------16
Global and Domestic Entry/Exit Seizures -------------------- 17
Minnesota Production -----------------------------------------------18
New Jersey Production --------------------------------------------- 18
Crystal Methamphetamine -- "Ice" ----------------------------- 19
Methamphetamine Production Methods ----------------------19
Ohio Production ------------------------------------------------------ 20
Pennsylvania Production ------------------------------------------ 20
Wisconsin Production ----------------------------------------------- 21
Hazardous Waste -----------------------------------------------------22
Hazardous Waste Cleanup ---------------------------------------- 24
3 Chemicals and the Law
Principal Provisions of the Chemical
Diversion Control Laws and Regulations ---------------------25
Inspection Authority ------------------------------------------------ 25
Who Must Register -------------------------------------------------- 26
Proof of Identity ------------------------------------------------------ 26
Thresholds for Regulated Transactions (List 1) ------------ 27
Contents of Regulated Transaction Records ----------------- 28
Thresholds for Regulated Transactions (List 2) ------------ 29
Maintenance of Records ------------------------------------------- 30
Types of Required Reports: Oral Reports --------------------- 30
Special Surveillance List ------------------------------------------ 30
Special Surveillance List Chemicals --------------------------- 30
v
4 Psychopharmeceutical Trade ------------------------------- 32
Serotonin --------------------------------------------------------------- 35
L-Tryptophan (Essential Amino Acid) ------------------------- 36
Psychedelic Amphetamines --------------------------------------- 36
5 Designer Drugs ---------------------------------------------------- 42
Controlled Substance Analogue Act ---------------------------- 48
6 The Repression of Neurochemistry ---------------------- 49
The First Prong -------------------------------------------------------49
A Change in Structure; A Change in Activity --------------- 49
Substantial Differences in Amphetamine
A Change in Structure; A Change in Activity --------------- 50
The Same Molecule, Different Species,
Different Activity ---------------------------------------------------- 51
The Second Prong ---------------------------------------------------- 52
"Intended For Human Consumption"- ------------------------- 53
Common Sense vs. Legalese -------------------------------------- 56
A Functional Knowledge of Chemistry and Chemicals -- 58
7 The Chemistry ----------------------------------------------------- 63
Molecular Weights; (Moles); The Keys of Chemistry ------65
The Reactions ----------------------------------------------------------66
Decade of the Brain Proclamation ------------------------------ 67
8 Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Ephedrines,
Aminorex, Amino Ketones & Substituted
Phenyisopropylamines ----------------------------------------- 69
3,4-Methyl enedioxy -N -methyl amp hetamine ---------------- 70
3,4-Methyl enedioxy- N -alkyl am phetamines ----------------- 70
MDMA Story ---------------------------------------------------------- 71
MDMA Production -------------------------------------------------- 71
MDMA Precursor Chemicals ------------------------------------- 72
Substituted-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines ------------ 76
4-Substituted- 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamines -----------------77
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylalkylamines ------------------78
4-Bromo-2,5-Dimethoxy-
Substituted N-Alkylphenylalkylamines ---------------------- 78
PMA (para-Methoxyamphetamine) ---------------------------- 80
PMA Production ------------------------------------------------------ 81
Ephedrine Alkaloids ------------------------------------------------ 82
Cathine ------------------------------------------------------------------ 83
Aminoketones --------------------------------------------------------- 84
Phentermines --------------------------------------------------------- 85
2-Amino-5-aryloxazolines ----------------------------------------- 86
vi AMPHETAMINE SYNTHESES INDUSTRIAL
9 Reductions Using Metals -------------------------------------- 87
Using Aluminum Amalgam (AlIHg):
Aluminum Amalgam from Aluminum Shavings ----------- 87
Aluminum Amalgam from Aluminum Foil ------------------ 87
Aluminum Amalgam from Aluminum Powder ------------- 88
Reduction of P-2-P Using Amalgamated Al Turnings ---- 89
Methamphetamine; P-2-P + Aluminum Foil ---------------- 90
Reduction of P-2-P Using Aluminum Turnings
(Amalgamated) with Amine -------------------------------------- 91
Reduction: Aluminum Amalgam & Nitromethane -------- 91
Using Zinc:
Phenylethylamines from ~-Nitrostyrene:
Zinc and Mercuric Bichloride ------------------------------------ 92
Reduction of Phenylnitroalcohols with Zinc
a-Methyl-phenylpropanolamine Preparation --------------- 92
U sing Iron: Reductions Using Iron Filings
Phenylnitroalcohols to Phenylaminoalcohols --------------- 93
Ephedrine from 1-Phenyl-1,2-propanedione ----------------- 94
Ephedrine from 1-Phenylpropan-1-ol-2-one ----------------- 94
Preparation of Mercury Bichloride ---------------------------- 95
Methylamine Hydrochloride Preparation -------------------- 95
Other Methods of Preparation ----------------------------------- 98
N -Methylation of Amphetamines ------------------------------- 99
10 Electrolytic Reductions ---------------------------------------- 100
Electrolytic Reduction Apparatus ------------------------------- 100
Electrolytic Prod uction --------------------------------------------- 101
Preparation of Amphetamine
from Phenyl-2-nitropropene -------------------------------------- 103
Preparation of Methoxy-amphetamine ------------------------ 103
Electrolytic Reduction Apparatus Components -------------104
Electrolytic Reduction Apparatus ------------------------------- 105
The Electrolytic Reduction ---------------------------------------- 106
Drying of the Phenylalkylamine HCl -------------------------- 108
Purification and Precipitation of the
Substituted Phenylalkylamine Salt ---------------------------- 109
Purification of the HCI Salt From the Catholyte Liquor -109
Amphetamine from
Electrolytic Reduction ofP-2-P Oxime ------------------------ 110
Electrolytic Reduction Apparatus ------------------------------- 111
Electrolytic Preparation of Methamphetamine
from 1-Phenyl-1-chloro-2-methylaminopropane ------------ 113
vii
11 Phenyl-2-nitroalkene Preparation:
Phenylnitroalkenes From Benzaldehydes
and Nitroalkanes ----------------------------------------------------- 114
Phenyl-2-nitropropenes from Propenylbenzenes ----------- 116
Phenyl-2-nitropropenes from Pseudonitrosites ------------- 117
Pseudonitrosites From Substituted Propenylbenzenes -- 118
Preparation of Phenylnitropropanols -------------------------- 119
Manufacture of Phenyl-2-nitropropanol ---------------------- 120
Preparation of Sodium Nitrite ----------------------------------- 121
Manufacture of Sodium Nitrite ---------------------------------- 124
Preparation of Ether from Ethanol ----------------------------- 124
Preparation of Ether ------------------------------------------------ 125
12 Preparation of Ketones ---------------------------------------- 127
Phenyl-2-propanone From Phenylacetic Acid --------------- 127
Phenyl-2-propanone Using Pyridine --------------------------- 127
Dehydrocarboxylation of Carboxylic Acids
to Form Phenyl-2-propanone ------------------------------------- 128
Gas Phase Production of Phenyl-2-propanone
from Phenyl Acetic Acid and Acetic Acid ---------------------- 129
Preparation of P-2-P Using Magnesia ------------------------- 130
Preparation of Manganous Oxide Catalyst ------------------ 131
Benzyl-Methy1 -Ketone Preparation
Using Manganese Dioxide -----------------------------------------131
Preparation of Propiophenone
from Benzoic Acid and Propionic Acid ------------------------- 132
Large Scale Production of Propiophenone -------------------- 133
Phenyl Acetic Acid Preparation ---------------------------------- 133
Benzyl Cyanide ------------------------------------------------------- 135
More Preparations of Phenyl Acetic Acid:
Method One: Benzylmagnesium Chloride and Dry Ice --- 137
Method Two: Modified Willgerodt Reaction ------------------ 137
Method Three: Ethylbenzene and Sodium Chromate -----138
Benzyl Chloride from Toluene ------------------------------------ 138
Benzyl Chloride from Benzyl Alcohol -------------------------- 139
Substituted Phenyl-2-Propanones From
Substituted Phenyl-2-Nitropropenes ---------------------------139
Phenyl-2-Propanone From Monochloroacetone ------------- 140
Preparation of Monochloroacetone ------------------------------141
Chlorination of Acetone -------------------------------------------- 141
Fractionation ---------------------------------------------------------- 142
Stabilization of Chloroacetone ----------------------------------- 142
viii AMPHETAMINE SYNTHESES INDUSTRIAL
Phenyl-2-propanones From Propenylbenzenes --------------142
Substituted Phenyl-2-Propanones From
Substituted Phenyl-1,2-Propanediol Diacetates ------------143
Preparation of Propiophenone:
Preparation of Phenylethylcarbinol ---------------------------- 143
Friedel-Crafts Reaction; Ketones From Phenols ----------- 144
Preparation ofP-2-P & alpha-Phenylpropionaldehyde
(2-Phenylpropanal) from Allybenzene ------------------------- 144
Preparation ofP-2-P from
2-Phenylpropanal and Phosphoric Acid ----------------------- 144
2-Phenylpropanal from 2-Phenyl-1-propanol--------------- 145
1-Phenylpropan-1-o1-2-one (L-PAC) from Benzaldehyde -146
L-3,4-Methylenedioxyphenylacetyl Carbinol
from Piperonal (3,4-Methylenedioxybenzaldehyde) ------- 151
13 Methamphetamine Production
More Methods
Preparation of Methamphetamine from Chloro-ephedrin 152
Preparation of Chloroephedrine ---------------------------------152
Methamphetamine from Ephedrine
U sing Phosphorus and Hydriodic Acid ------------------------ 153
Catalytic Hydrogenation
Preparation of Methamphetamine ------------------------------153
Preparation of Desoxyephedrine (meth) -----------------------154
Methamphetamine from Ephedrine; Birch Reaction ------154
Leuckart-Wallach Reaction:
Substituted N-Alkyl-Amphetamine From
Substituted Phenylisopropyl-N-Alkylformamides
Amines From Formamides ---------------------------------------- 155
1-Phenyl-2-(formylamino )propane From
Phenyl-2-propanone And Ammonium Formate ------------- 157
1-Pheny1 -2-(formylalkyl amino )propane
From Substituted P-2-P and N-Alkylformamide ----------- 158
Preparation of
4-Methoxy- pheny1 -2-methyl aminopropane
Using Methylamine Hydrochloride ----------------------------- 159
Preparation of Phenyl-2-ethylaminopropane ---------------- 160
Amphetamine From alpha-Bromophenylpropane --------- 160
2-Bromo-1-phenylpropane from Allybenzene ----------------161
Ritter Reaction ------------------------------------------------------- 162
ix
14 Preparation of More Stimulants
Preparation of Bromopropiophenone ---------------------------163
Preparation of Norpseudoephedrine (Cathine)
From Phenylpropanolamine -------------------------------------- 164
Preparation of Norpseudoephedrine (Cathine)
From N -Acetyl-Phenyl propanolamine ------------------------- 164
Preparation of Methcathinone ----------------------------------- 164
Preparation of Dialkylaminopropiophenone ----------------- 165
Preparation of alpha-Bromopropiophenone ------------------165
Methylaminopropiophenone Compounds
Using Sodium Dichromate ---------------------------------------- 165
~-Dimethylamino-a-methyl-propiophenone from
Propiophenone, Dimethylamine HCl and Formaldehyde 166
Cathinone from isoNitrosopropiophenone
and Tin Dichloride --------------------------------------------------- 166
Preparation of iso-Nitrosopropiophenone ---------------------166
Aminorex: Preparation of 3,4,5-Trimethoxyaminorex ---- 167
15 Substituted Benzaldehydes ---------------------------------- 168
Benzaldehydes From Phenols; Duff Reaction --------------- 172
Benzaldehydes from Phenols; Elbs Persulfate
Oxidation --------------------------------------------------------------- 172
Phenols From Benzaldehydes; Dakin Reaction ------------- 173
Mono-Alkylation of Hydroxybenzaldehydes ----------------- 173
Benzaldehyde from Benzyl Chloride --------------------------- 174
Benzaldehydes From Propenylbenzenes ---------------------- 174
16 Ally and Propenylbenzenes
from Natural Sources ------------------------------------------- 176
Allybenzene, Propenylbenzene, Eugenol, Isoeugenol ----- 176
Estragol, Anethol ---------------------------------------------------- 177
Sassafras Root Bark Oil --------------------------------------------177
Safrole, Isosafrol ------------------------------------------------------177
2,4,5-Trimethoxyallybenzene (~-Asarone) -------------------- 178
Apiol, Isoapiol --------------------------------------------------------- 178
2,3,4,5-Tetramethoxyallybenzene and Apiol
(3,4-Methyl enedioxy -2 ,5-dimethoxy- allybenzene)
from Parsley Seeds--------------------------------------------------- 179
Dill Apiol, Isodill Apiol ----------------------------------------------179
Elemicin, Isoelemicin, Carpacin --------------------------------- 180
2,5-Dimethoxypropenylbenzene from Asarone -------------- 180
Propenylbenzenes From Pheny1 -1-Propanols ----------------181
