Ecstacy(mdMa)

3,4-METHYLENE-DIOXYMETAMPHETAMINE (“MDMA”) is the chemical name for “ecstasy.” It is a synthetic psychoactive drug that possesses the stimulant properties of methamphetamine and hallucinogenic qualities most similar to mescaline. MDMA is not new.

It was first developed in 1912 as an appetite suppressant by the German pharmaceutical company Merck. During the late 1970s, psychologists and psychiatrists used the drug as treatment for psychological and emotional disorders. Street use of the drug became popular in the 1980s; it became illegal in the United States in 1985.

In its purest form, ecstasy is a white crystalline powder with a musty odor. It may also have a reddish or brownish color as a result of impurities. It usually comes as a tablet, capsule or in powder form and is usually taken orally, although it can be injected. The quantity of MDMA can vary from 9mg to 117mg per tablet.

MDA and MDMA Syntheses >>

From "Psychedelic Chemistry," first published in Chemical Abstracts 52, 11965c (1958). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following synthesis is not meant to be carried out by a novice chemist, although it is not terribly difficult. For descriptions of how to carry out the procedures, a standard lab procedures reference manual should be aquired by the reader (or preferably the reader should take college organic chemistry). To a well stirred, cooled mixture of 34g of 30% H202 (hydrogen peroxide) in 150g 80% HCO2H (formic acid) there was added, dropwise, a solution of 32.4g isosafrole in 120ml acetone at a rate that kept the reaction mixture from exceeding 40 deg C. This required a bit over 1 hour, and external cooling was used as necessary. Stirring was continued for 16 hours, and care was taken that the slow exothermic reaction did not cause excess heating. Add 23g 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylacetone to 65g HCONH2 (formamide) and heat at 190 deg for five hours. Cool, add 100ml H20, extract with C6H6 (benzene) and evaporate in vacuum the extract. Add 8ml MeOH (methyl alcohol -- methanol) and 75ml 15% HCl to residue, heat on water bath two hours and extract in vacuum (or basify with KOH and extract the oil with benzene and dry, evaporate in vacuum) to get 11.7 g 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).

To produce MDMA substitute N-methylformamide for formamide in the above synthesis.