Methylphenidate nasal spray - ester hydrolysis

[bobstewitt]

Hello. SWIM has extracted some methylphenidate hcl from 10mg IR ritalin tablets. Binders were removed using cold PGA as a solvent (Everclear), and using coffee filters to remove the unwanted fillers. The PGA was then let to evaporate.

The plan is to add the methylphenidate hcl to a metered nasal spray bottle for convenience and to be discrete. However, a previous user here warned about dissolving in water:

Using water as a solvent may significantly reduce your yield due to ester hydrolysis.

The solution would be stored for multiple weeks or months before being completely used, so I would like to determine whether the water will ruin the drug. If so, would any of the following be better solvents?

Vegetable glycerin
DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)
MSM (dimethylsulfone)
Propylene glycol

With possible addition of a mild acid to modify the overall pH (to encourage esterification / prevent ester hydrolysis). Also perhaps a small concentration of benzyl alcohol if solubility needs to be improved.

Please excuse my lack of knowledge in this area; I have limited chemistry background and no organic chemistry.

 

[Ham-milton]

You just want to avoid anything with water in it. Everclear would probably be pure enough that it wouldn't be much of a problem, though.

It's guaranteed to burn like HELL though.

I don't know how I'd feel about having DMSO in my nose, but that'd probably be one of the best.

 

[bobstewitt]

Everclear would probably be pure enough that it wouldn't be much of a problem, though.

And I thought that I was masochistic at times.

Agreed on the DMSO. Lots of non-toxic usage to back up its general safety, but I have only once heard of it being used intra-nasally. That was for Trenbolone. The propylene glycol definitely burns a bit, but not horrible. Any thoughts on glycerin?

 

[Ylide]

At neutral pH I seriously doubt you're going to see much hydrolysis. The main problem I see with using water though is from bacterial growth, especially if you're going to be keeping it for several weeks to months. Also considering that the business end will be going into your nose quite regularly, I can see that solution becoming pretty scummy rather quickly.

 

[MDPVagrant]

I don't know about methylphenidate specifics, but this is exactly how I use MDPV (also a similar substance fwiw).

I'd boil some distilled H2O and add the methylphenidate to that, or at least make sure it's distilled and relatively pure -- tap water is a bad idea. I haven't noticed any probs with bacterial growth, or even the degradation in solution others have -- I store the nasal sprayer in the fridge at night + during other periods of disuse, and if it lasts more than 5 or so days I'll boil the solution again, add a bit more substance, and put back in the nasal sprayer after it cools... works like a charm.

 

[nuke]

Adding some NaCl and ethanol to an H2O solution can do wonders for bacterial growth. 2-4% ethanol shouldn't burn your nose too much.

 

[I am shpongled]

If you try glycerin, add a drop of nitric acid for an extra kick.

 

[vecktor]

If you try glycerin, add a drop of nitric acid for an extra kick.

thanks for sharing that.