Benzedrine

METHOD 1 This section is going to be as thoroughly helpful to those interested in X production as it will be to those interested in amphetamine production. The process is known as the Knoeve-nagel-Walter condensation which can turn a substituted benzal-dehyde such as piperonal (X) or plain old benzaldehyde (speed) into an intermediate called a p-nitropropene. This intermediate can then be transformed into MDA (Benzedrine for speed) or MD-P2P (P2P for speed) depending on the capabilities of the chemist. 

One cannot directly make a methamphetamine from a p-Nitropropene, But who needs em anyway when MDA and Benzedrine will do very nicely, thank you. Below is the no-brainer schematic for the conversion ... 

METHOD 2 [89]--1M MDA or benzedrine and 1M benzaldehyde is dissolved in 95% ethanol (Everclear), stirred, the solvent removed by distillation then the oil vacuum distilled to give 95% yellow oil which is a Schiff base intermediate. 1M of this intermediate, plus 1M iodomethane, is sealed in a pipe bomb that s dumped in boiling water for 5 hours giving an orangy-red heavy oil. The oil is taken up in methanol, 1/8 its volume of dH20 is added and the solution refluxed for 30 minutes. Next, an equal volume of water is added and the whole solution boiled openly until no more odor of benzaldehyde is detected (smells like almond extract). The solution is acidified with acetic acid, washed with ether (discard ether), the MDMA or meth freebase liberated with NaOH and extracted with ether to afford a yield of 90% for meth and 65% for MDMA. That s not a bad conversion but what s with having to use benzaldehyde (a List chemical) Strike wonders if another aldehyde can substitute. 

Enantiomer I, called Dexedrine, is by far the stronger stimulant. It is from two to four times as active as Benzedrine, the racemic mixture of the two isomers. 

Bent molecule Molecule containing three atoms in which the bond angle is less than 180° examples include H20 and S02,178 Benzedrine, 601 Benzene... 

Bradley, C. The behavior of children receiving benzedrine. Am J Psychiatry 94 577-585, 1937. 

One class of stimulants, the amphetamines, was synthesized originally as possible alternative drugs for the treatment of asthma and was a principal component of the original Benzedrine . Amphetamine-like stimulants are known and consumed especially for their activity-sustaining effects (i.e. increased alertness, strength, and endurance). Their wake-promoting properties... 

Amphetamine (Benzedrine). Amphetamine was synthesized in 1887. It was quickly found to be a potent stimulant with effects similar to cocaine, which had been discovered over 100 years before. In the subsequent years, amphetamine found a variety of uses. It was used to treat narcolepsy, Parkinson s disease, barbiturate overdose, bed wetting (enuresis), and obesity. It was also used to counteract the sedating effects of other drugs and medications including antiseizure medications and alcohol. 

As drugs of mixed action, amphetamines activate adrenergic receptors and simultaneously release endogenic catecholamines (norepinephrine and dopamine) from neurons of the brain and periphery. Sympathomimetic effects on the periphery are very similar to those of ephedrine. Amphetamine elevates systolic and diastolic blood pressure and has weakly expressed, broncholytic action. These effects are more prolonged, yet less expressed, than with epinephrine. The distinctive feature of amphetamines is their psychostimulatory activity. Larger doses can cause hallucinations and mental conditions similar to paranoid schizophrenia. As a sympathomimetic, amphetamine is sometimes used for uterine inertia. Synonyms of amphetamine are phenamine and benzedrine. 

Many psychomotor stimulants possess activities similar to those of amphetamine and have been discussed previously (see Chapter 10). Of primary importance to our discussion of the psychomotor stimulants are amphetamine Adderall, Benzedrine, Dexedrine), methampheta-mine (Desoxyn), and methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, Metadate, Methylin). 

Bradley, C., and Bowen, M. (1941) Amphetamine (benzedrine) therapy of children s behavior disorders. Am Orthopsychiatry 11 92-103. 

Amphetamine, a Schedule II drug, was synthesized by the German chemist . Edeleano in 1887 (Figure 6.2). The trade names for amphetamine are Benzedrine and Dexedrine. Smith, Kline, and French marketed Benzedrine inhaler in the 1930s for respiratory disorders. Since amphetamine decreases drowsiness and fatigue, it is marketed for narcolepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and was used as an appetite suppressant (anorectic) in diet regimens. Amphetamine was supplied to the... 

Other names for amphetamine include dexedrine (d-form), benzedrine (d,l), phendrine, psychodrine. 

The amphetamine Benzedrine first appears on the market in the form of an inhaler for treating nasal congestion. The inhalers are soon abused. Amphetamine pills will soon appear as pep pills and for treating obesity. Congress passes the Uniform Narcotic Act. It requires that drug prescriptions and sales be recorded using standard forms. 

Drug Action and Shape of Molecules Some years ago two drug companies marketed a drug under the trade names Dexedrine and Benzedrine. The structure of the drug is shown below. 

The physical properties (C, H, and N analysis, melting point, solubility, etc.) of Dexedrine and Benzedrine were identical. The recommended oral dosage of Dexedrine (which is still available) was 5 mg/day, but the recommended dosage of Benzedrine (no longer available) was twice that. Apparently it required considerably more Benzedrine than Dexedrine to yield the same physiological response. Explain this apparent contradiction. 

Amphetamine (benzedrine) the S(+) form (dexedrine) is most active... 

AMPHETAMINES. Amphetamines, used in medicine as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, are among the most commonly abused drugs. Amphetamine itself is chemically di-a-methylphenethyl-amine, the most common commercial name being Benzedrine, nicknamed "Bennie." Other commonly encountered amphetamines in urine... 

Myerson, A., Effect of benzedrine sulphate on mood and fatigue in normal and in neurotic persons, Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry, 36, 816, 1936. 

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