* warning Synthesis discussion is banned but surely basic chemistry discussion is entirely warranted, especially given the wide ranging relevance of this topic in particular. I can assure you, reference to the identity of precursors/reductions involved in illicit drug manufacture could never provide enough information to enable those reading the posts to engage in manufacture themselves without A LOT more legwork and understanding
I find that VERY unlikely... AL/HG is to low yielding, doesn't scale to 1-5KG batches at all. Dutch prefer catalytic hydrogen with H2,and platnium/jones reagent due to yield, speed and MULTI kilo batches.. AL/HG is like 300 grams tops and very piss poor yield.. Borohydrides are high yielding and easy but slow. 3 days vs 7ish hrs... I could also make walter whites meth without Methylamine and still get a 20% higher yield because this catalyst is so much better
What do the Dutch mean when they say : "the cold method" ??
I don´t know exact numbers but I think it is definitely true that in tha Lowlands the main route to MDMA is reduction with Pt/hydrogen...
NaBH4 route gives excellent yields.Only problem is that NaBH4 is expensive and might not be available for certain bees.Yields w/w go over 100%
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Then there's that platinum dioxide(Adams catalyst) method @ 3 atm H pressure with yields w/w in 90's.
Both methods are pretty cold.NaBH4 rxn contents must be kept under 10C,but i can't remember the temp needed in PtO2 method
The labs in holland use PtO2. I read in the a magazine overthere. Some chemists produced in order of some maffia people, in a week 300 kilo's of MDMA freebase. The gazzing and stuff was done in some other place. The people investigating the dismantelt lab couldn't trace the source of the PtO2.
I think PtO2 route is cheaper if you re-use your catalyst a few times. Besides that you only need some Methanol, MethylAmine and MDP2P ofcouse.
NaBH4 route is so slow. To many hours work for 1 batch. Not practical. Only if SWIM make it for himself.
MDP2P to MDMA route
www.thevespiary.org
A truckload of ingredients for making a billion Ecstasy pills has been found by Dutch police. They say the lorry was found in a southern Zeeland province village, across the border from Belgium's port city of Antwerp.
www.dw.com
The haul included 100 canisters of hydrogen