Determination of synthesis method of ecstasy based on the basic impurities

MDMA was prepared by five different synthesis routes, i.e. by dissolving metal reduction (Al/Hg), cyanoborohydride reduction (NaBH3CN), borohydride reduction in low temperature (NaBH4), Leuckart reaction and safrole bromination. MDP-2-P was prepared by two different synthesis methods, i.e. by isosafrole oxidation and MDP-2-nitropropene reduction. Each of the synthesis routes was repeated three times in order to establish variation in qualitative composition of route specific impurities between different batches. The analysis of impurities in MDP-2-nitropropene, MDP-2-P, bromosafrole and MDMA was performed with GC-MS. GC/MS was used also in the analysis of impurities in starting materials: safrole, isosafrole and piperonal. As a result of our study the way of determination of MDMA synthesis route determination based on qualitative composition of impurities is proposed.