Chemical profiling of seized methamphetamine putatively synthesized from phenylacetic acid derivatives.

Abstract

We report a case of seized crystalline methamphetamine (MA) samples showing unique drug profiles. The samples were mainly composed of (S)-(+)-MA, with each containing a slight amount of (R)-(-)-MA (enantiomeric excess: 99.2-99.4%). 1-Phenyl-2-propanol and N-methyl-2-phenylacetamide were detected as characteristic impurities. These analytical results suggested that the samples were synthesized as racemic MA by reductive amination of 1-phenyl-2-propanone, which was synthesized from phenylacetic acid, putatively prepared from phenylacetic acid ester, and then the racemic MA was optically resolved to the (+)-form-rich product. This proposed preparation route was in accordance with recent reports of seizures worldwide of the raw materials of MA such as phenylacetic acid derivatives, methylamine, and tartaric acid (optical resolving reagent).

• Authors: Kenji Tsujikawa, Kenji Kuwayama, Hajime Miyaguchi, Tatsuyuki Kanamori, Yuko T Iwata, Hiroyuki Inoue
• Journal: Forensic science international (Forensic Sci Int) Vol. 227 Issue 1-3 Pg. 42-4 (Apr 10 2013) ISSN: 1872-6283 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 22989601 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.