Differentiating between PMA and MDA using reagents

[AussieBongheadsUnite]

I just discovered this site a month ago and very impressed to say the least, keep up the good work!!

I was just wondering whether there is a reagent available to allow me to differentiate between MDA and PMA as I very much enjoy MDA but fuck that PMA shit!
I just find it annoying that Robadope only shows up primary amine chemicals as a weak salmon red to purple. Anyway. Any responses would be appreciated.

This is my first post so sorry if anything is up with it feel free to critiscise.

Chheers

 

[fastandbulbous]

Limited usefulness

There should be somehoushold chemical (hydrgen peroxide or potassium permanganate), that can be pressed into service to oxidize a small sample to its benzaldehyde derivative, so that if you've got a reasonable sense of smell, you can differentiate between different amphetamines.

I'll have a dig in one of my old org. chem. books as to conditions needed (I think a hot soln. of potassium permanganate fearures somewhere), but the following drugs can be identified as follows:-

MDxx.....ox. to piperonal (3,4-MDbenzaldehyde)...smells like sassparilla

PMA.......ox. to anisaldehyde (4-Methoxybenzaldehde)..smells like aniseed

Meth/amp ox. to benzaldehyde..smells like almonds.

I know they are similar sorts of smells, but short of a lab with analytic capabilities (reagents and poss MS etc), it's the best I can think of for a non-lab setting. If it is hot KMnO4 soln., it's also not very portable, but it is a test.


Well get back about oxidizing conditions

 

[Grignard]

Hmm, I was under the assumption that neither Marquis, Mecke, or Mandelin would show any reaction with PMA, whereas all would show a reaction with MDA. If this is the case then a positive with Robadope and a negative with any of the three above is a definite sign of not having MDA and possibly having PMA.

Also, yeah, it's a hot permanganate sol'n that can be used to oxidize aromatic side chains, but unfortunately it's going to give you mostly the benzoic acid derivatives and little if any of the benzaldehyde derivatives.

 

[fastandbulbous]

Hot

If it's hot permanganate soln, this would give enough of the benzaldehde as vopour to be able to detect it. After all, they're quite pungent, so it doesn't take much (If I've had the the top of a bottle of oil of sassafras or oil of aniseed in the kitchen, I can still smell them after a few hours of putting the top back on).

I think it's because the methoxy/methylenedioxy groups occur so much in fragrent foods/spices that we're more sensitive to them.

 

[AussieBongheadsUnite]

Thanks very much for that information it has been very helpful and much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[easy e]

mandelin should show a positive reaction to PMA. we have never had the opportunity to verify this claim, due to the lack of a sample of pma, but as I remember well it is supposed to show an olive color. (but this could also be a yucky brown). i will try and look this up if I have the chance.