Street Names Angel Dust, Dust, Super Weed, Killer Weed, PCP, Elephant, Embalming Fluid, Hog, PCE, Rocket Fuel, TCP.
Possible Effects of PCP PCP or Phencyclidine, is a single drug that forms a distinct category of its own, because the effects it produces are unlike those of any category. In some respects, PCP acts like an hallucinogen; and, it is frequently classed as an hallucinogen in medical texts and scientific / research reports. In other respects, it acts like a stimulant, and still in other respects it is similar to a depressant.
The formal chemical name for this drug is Phenyl Cyclohexyl Piperidine, from which the initials PCP are derived. "Phencyclidine" is simply a contracted form of the actual chemical name.
PCP was first developed as an anesthetic for humans in 1959. Its use was discontinued a few years later due to its extreme side effects which included delirium and confusion. In the early 1960's PCP was brought back to medical use as a veterinary anesthetic under the trade name Sernylan.
Among PCP's least desirable side effects are delirium, visual disturbances and hallucinations and, occasionally, violence. Some evidence of long term memory disorders and psychological disturbances resembling schizophrenia has also been linked to PCP.
Many PCP users ingest their drugs by smoking. PCP can be applied in either liquid or powder form to a variety of vegetable or leafy substances, such as mint leaves, parsley, oregano, tobacco, or marijuana. When applied to marijuana the street name for this mixture is "Killer Weed" or "Super Weed". The substances then can be smoked in a pipe or cigarette. Because PCP smoke is very hot and can irritate the mouth and tongue, many users prefer to use mint leaves and similar material to cool the smoke. For the same reason PCP smokers who adulterate commercial cigarettes prefer to use mentholated brands.
PCP produces impairments and other observable effects on the human mind and body that are a combination of effects produced by depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Blank stare Disorientation Loss of memory Muscle rigidity Non-communicative Sensory distortions Slow, slurred speech Agitation - Excitement Auditory hallucinations Increased pain threshold Loss of a sense of personal identity A feeling of extreme heat, profuse perspiration Passivity - but many users may abruptly turn violent if confronted with a threatening situation
As with many other drugs, regular users of PCP may have developed a tolerance to the drug that masks some of the observable signs of PCP's effects. When smoked or injected, PCP's effects generally last 4-6 hours, but they can last longer. PCP can also enter the body by absorption through the skin.
One possible result of PCP overdose is bizarre, violent and self-destructive behavior. PCP can also produce extreme physical as well as psychological distress. PCP can cause a deep coma, lasting up to 12 hours, seizures and convulsions, respiratory depression, and possible cardiac problems.
METHOD 1. A mixture of 100 g of anhydrous ethylamine and 220 g of cyclohexanone is kept 16 hours, shaken with solid KOH, and the oil layer is removed by decantation. Distill the oil layer in vacuo to get the intermediate N-cyclohexylidenethylamine. Prepare a mixture of phenyllithium by mixing 11 g of lithium and 76 ml PhBr in 500 ml of Et20. Add the phenyllithium dropwise to a solution of 51 g of the N-cyclohexylidenethylamine in 500 ml of Et20, with stirring and cooling, to keep the temp at 0¡. Stir for one hour and then decompose by adding water. Separate the Et20 layer, wash with H20 and distill to get 1- phenylcyclohexylethylamine or analog. The hydrochloride form is obtained in the usual way, as given below.
METHOD 2. A mixture of 170 g of piperidine, 220 g of cyclohexylamine, and 750 ml of benzene is azeotropically distilled until the evolution of H20 stops, then vacuum distill to get cyclohexenyl-piperidine. p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (190 g) in 250 ml of PhMe is heated under a water trap until all the H20 is removed, then add a solution of 165 g of cyclohexyl-piperidine in 500 ml of Et20, with cooling, to keep temp at 0¡. A solution of I mole of PhMgBr (made from 157 g of PhBr and 24 g of Mg) in 750 ml of Et20 is added (still holding the temp at 0¡ to 5¡). The mixture is stirred for an additional 30 min after the dropwise addition is complete. Decompose the mixture by adding an excess saturated NH4Cl and NH40H. The Et20 layer is removed, dried over K2CO3, and distilled to give phenylcyclohexylpiperidine. Convert to the hydrochloride form by dissolving the free base in an excess of iso-PrOH-HC1 and then precipitate the salt (the hydrochloride) with Et20 and crystallize from Et20-iso-PrOH (this is a mixture).
