Organic impurity profiling of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) synthesised from helional

Alexandra L Mercieca; Harrison C Fursman; Morgan Alonzo; Scott Chadwick; Andrew M McDonagh

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111788

Organic impurity profiling of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) synthesised from helional

Forensic Sci Int. 2023 Sep:350:111788. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111788. Epub 2023 Jul 20.

Authors

Alexandra L Mercieca¹, Harrison C Fursman¹, Morgan Alonzo¹, Scott Chadwick¹, Andrew M McDonagh²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Forensic Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
² Centre for Forensic Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: andrew.mcdonagh@uts.edu.au.

PMID: 37499374
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111788

Abstract

The organic impurity profile of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) synthesised from helional via the "twodogs" method was examined to identify route-specific and condition-specific impurities. The synthesis used a condensation reaction, followed by a Beckmann rearrangement, then Hofmann rearrangement, and then conversion to a hydrochloride salt. Two chlorinating agents were investigated for the Hofmann rearrangement reaction, trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) and sodium hypochlorite. Three route-specific impurities were identified in MDA using TCCA, and two of these impurities were condition-specific such that the impurities that formed were dependent on the alcohol used as solvent. Three additional impurities were identified as non-route-specific as they have previously been identified in MDA synthesised from 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid or piperonal. These non-route-specific impurities were also identified in MDA synthesised using sodium hypochlorite. No impurities were detected in MDA hydrochloride. This study identified route- and condition-specific organic impurities in MDA synthesised via the "twodogs" synthetic route using helional as starting material. The results in this study provide further understanding into the illicit synthesis of MDA and highlight the expanding nature of precursors used for illicit drug manufacture. It provides valuable information to decision makers to enact legislative measures and restrict precursors of concern.

Keywords: 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; Helional; Impurity profiling; MDA; Trichloroisocyanuric acid; “Twodogs” method.