Method of inhibiting methaphetamine synthesis

US6852891B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• George M. Murray · Columbia, US
• Craig Kelly · Ellicott City, US
• O. Manuel Uy · Ellicott City, US
• Lawrence W. Hunter · Ellicott City, US
• David S. Lawrence · Hartsdale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 21, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 8, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 21, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C209/68
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method of inhibiting or preventing the use of anhydrous ammonia as a solvent in a dissolving metal reduction process comprises adding to anhydrous ammonia a chemical reagent which is capable of scavenging solvated electrons generated when alkali or alkaline earth metal is dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia, the chemical reagent being added to the anhydrous ammonia such that when alkali metal is dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia containing the chemical reagent and thereafter ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or combination thereof is introduced to the anhydrous ammonia to produce a reaction product, the methamphetamine yield in the reaction product is below 50%, preferably below 10%, and more preferably below 1%. Preferred chemical reagents include Fe(III)citrate, ferrocene, 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.