Phenyl-2-Propanone (Phenylacetone, P2P) is a ketone. It can be used in reductive amination with either ammonia, methylamine, ethylamine, or propylamine in an ethanol and hydrogen oxide(water) solution. It forms an imine intermediate. The reductive amination can be done with either toxic Aluminum Mercury or nontoxic Aluminum Galinstan. As a result, you can get
amphetamine,
methamphetamine, Ethylamphetamine, or Propylamphetamine. Using methylamine, ethylamine, or propylamine will yield around 70%
methamphetamine, Ethylamphetamine, or Propylamphetamine, while using ammonia will yield 30% amphetamine. Ethylamphetamine is Blue Speed.
Phenyl-2-Propanone can be synthesized from benzyl magnesium chloride (formed from benzyl chloride and magnesium turnings in diethyl ether) and acetonitrile in diethyl ether (or better, dibutyl ether for higher yield) followed by hydrochloric acid work-up.
