Journal Published Online: 01 July 1996
Volume 41, Issue 4

Identification of -Acetylmethamphetamine in a Sample of Illicitly Synthesized Methamphetamine

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Analysis of illicit methamphetamine samples revealed the presence of a hitherto unreported impurity. This was identified as N-acetylmethamphetamine by synthesis and GC-MS. This impurity is believed to arise by transesterification of methamphetamine during reflux with propyl acetate. Other circumstantial evidence and intelligence data indicate that propyl acetate was used to increase yields of methamphetamine hydrochloride by azeotropic removal of water remaining after salt formation with aqueous hydrochloric acid.

Author Information

Conn, C
University of Technology, Broadway NSW, Australia
Dawson, M
University of Technology, Broadway NSW, Australia
Baker, AT
University of Technology, Broadway NSW, Australia
Keegan, J
University of Technology, Broadway NSW, Australia
Fryirs, B
Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia
Pages: 3
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13969J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13969J