title: The synthesis and investigation of impurities found in Clandestine Laboratories: Baeyer-Villiger Route Part I; Synthesis of P2P from benzaldehyde and methyl ethyl ketone.
abstract: The synthesis of impurities detected in clandestinely manufactured Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) has emerged as more desirable than simple "fingerprint" profiling. We have been investigating the impurities formed when phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) 5, a key ATS precursor, is synthesised in three steps; an aldol condensation of benzaldehyde and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK); a Baeyer-Villiger reaction; and ester hydrolysis. We have identified and selectively synthesised several impurities that may be used as route specific markers for this series of synthetic steps. Specifically these impurities are 3-methyl-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one 3, 2-methyl-1,5-diphenylpenta-1,4-diene-3-one 9, 2-(methylamino)-3-methyl-4-phenyl-3-butene 16, 2-(Methylamino)-3-methyl-4-phenylbutane 17, and 1-(methylamino)-2-methyl-1,5-diphenylpenta-4-ene-3-one 22.
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doughty
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Painter
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Pigou
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia. Electronic address: Martin.Johnston@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000737:chemistry; D055162:Biocatalysis; D002074:Butanones / Q000737:chemistry; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D010105:Oxygenases / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001547:Benzaldehydes; D002074:Butanones; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D000096:Acetone; D008694:Methamphetamine; C005222:methylethyl ketone; D010105:Oxygenases; C008863:1-phenyl-2-propanone; C032175:benzaldehyde
keywords: Baeyer–Villiger reaction; Clandestine synthesis; Methamphetamine; P2P