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Leuckart-specific Impurities in Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Seized in Norway

NCJ Number
119792
Journal
Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (January-March 1984) Pages: 47-57
Author(s)
M Lambrechts; K E Rasmussen
Date Published
1984
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Data from samples of 28 amphetamine and 7 methamphetamine seizures in Norway from 1975 to 1982 formed the basis of an analysis of impurities specific to the Leuckart method of synthesizing these drugs.
Abstract
The analysis showed that the amphetamine and methamphetamine contents varied from 9 to 99 percent and from 9 to 72 percent respectively. Impurities originating from the synthesis of the illicit samples were identified by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. All the methamphetamine samples contained N-formyl-methamphetamine, a Leuckart-specific compound. In addition, 79 percent of the amphetamine samples contained 4-methyl-5phenyl-pyrimidine and N-formyl-amphetamine. Thus, the amphetamine and methamphetamine seized in Norway from 1975 to 1982 was most often synthesized by the Leuckart method. (Author abstract modified)