Identification of Impurities in Illicit Methamphetamine Samples

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Abstract
Three impurities have been identified in illicit methamphetamine samples. One of these, N-formylmethamphetamine (N-methyl-N-(α-methylphenethyl) formamide), is an intermediate in the synthesis of methamphetamine by the Leuckart reaction. The remaining 2, ,α,α’-trimethyldiphenethylamine and α-benzyl-N-methylphenethylamine, are by-products of methamphetamine synthesis. Ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and gas chromatographic- mass spectral techniques were used to identify these compounds. The data obtained are discussed and synthetic pathways are postulated to explain the presence of each compound in samples of methamphetamine.

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