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8511103 
Journal Article 
Significant determinants of isotope composition during HI/Pred synthesis of methamphetamine 
David, GE; Hibbert, DB; Frew, RD; Hayman, AR 
2010 
Yes 
Australian Journal of Chemistry
ISSN: 0004-9425
EISSN: 1445-0038 
CSIRO PUBLISHING 
CLAYTON 
63 
1 
22-29 
English 
WOS:000273396200004 
Methamphetamine HCl was synthesized using three variations of the hydriodic acid/red phosphorus (HI/Pred) synthetic route. A Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to determine how reaction parameters affected the isotopic composition of the product. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry results showed only the source of precursor 13C was significant in determining product δ13C; the manufacturer, reaction temperature, time, scale, and source of HI were not significant. The precursor was also the main determinant of product δ2H, with smaller contributions from the HI source for one method. From precursor to product, large δ2H depletion occurred for most samples. Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2H NMR) was used to investigate the specific site of this. Significant fraction of deuterium was observed only at the benzylic position, the site of hydrogen addition during synthesis. Methamphetamine synthesized from ephedrine was shown to be depleted in this position. © 2010 CSIRO.