I've spent some time lately examining the structures and syntheses of various opioids to see what might be practical in a clandestine setting. One thing that looked promising was the synthesis of methadone, but a major issue for the home experimenter appears to be the 1-dimethylamino-2-chloropropane precursor. Even following Rhodium's suggestions, a chem shop would need to be involved at some point.
http://thevespiary:depidyhk@www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/methadone.html
Then I realized that I recognized that molecule.. well, almost. I see no reason why dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) couldn't be halogenated and used in place of 1-dimethylamine-2-chloropropane. I came across it during tryptamine research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylethanolamine
DMAE is available as an OTC supplement in the form of its bitartrate salt. Separation into the freebase may pose some issues as it is soluble in water, but it's likely separable via distillation (prompting the use of carbonate rather than hydroxide for basification since the water will come over first.) Another solution is to maybe halogenate it first with strong acid while still in salt form. Then the freebase would likely be insoluble, or could be more easily distilled (I couldn't find solubility data off-hand, but saw mention of a b.p. of 60-61C for 2-(dimethylamino)ethylbromide.)
Something I noticed about the original Methadone molecule is that the a-methyl group we're doing without has some resemblance to amphetamine, which may lend some explanation to why people are generally considered more useful while on Methadone than other opioids. Then again that's complete speculation.
As for the rest of the synthesis, Grignard reactions are necessary which require a certain level of skill and preparation. As long as that is a possibility for the experimenter, the synthesis seems reasonably accessible.
Diphenylmethanol can be had from the reaction of benzyl magnesium chloride and benzaldehyde, both of which are available through different means from toluene.
Halogenate and react with sodium cyanide to get diphenylacetonitrile. NaCN production is dangerous, but again it is doable with OTC reagents.
If anhydrous AlCl3 or AlBr3 is available, then diphenylacetonitrile can also be formed as suggested at the bottom of the original page.
The rest of the precursors and procedures seem rather straightforward. I'm not sure if there is a common name for a-demethylated methadone. When I first thought about it I canceled out the "meth"s (even though "meth" in "methadone" most certainly refers to the N-methyl groups) and said "adone" then "Adonis." So if it doesn't have a name, I'm claiming Adonis for it
Another interesting note is that cyclization and subsequent de-cyclization of the 2-(dimethylamino)ethylbromide won't lead to racemate problems like with 1-dimethylamino-2-chloropropane since you get the same original molecule no matter which way it reopens.
http://thevespiary:depidyhk@www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/methadone.html
Then I realized that I recognized that molecule.. well, almost. I see no reason why dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) couldn't be halogenated and used in place of 1-dimethylamine-2-chloropropane. I came across it during tryptamine research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylethanolamine
DMAE is available as an OTC supplement in the form of its bitartrate salt. Separation into the freebase may pose some issues as it is soluble in water, but it's likely separable via distillation (prompting the use of carbonate rather than hydroxide for basification since the water will come over first.) Another solution is to maybe halogenate it first with strong acid while still in salt form. Then the freebase would likely be insoluble, or could be more easily distilled (I couldn't find solubility data off-hand, but saw mention of a b.p. of 60-61C for 2-(dimethylamino)ethylbromide.)
Something I noticed about the original Methadone molecule is that the a-methyl group we're doing without has some resemblance to amphetamine, which may lend some explanation to why people are generally considered more useful while on Methadone than other opioids. Then again that's complete speculation.
As for the rest of the synthesis, Grignard reactions are necessary which require a certain level of skill and preparation. As long as that is a possibility for the experimenter, the synthesis seems reasonably accessible.
Diphenylmethanol can be had from the reaction of benzyl magnesium chloride and benzaldehyde, both of which are available through different means from toluene.
Halogenate and react with sodium cyanide to get diphenylacetonitrile. NaCN production is dangerous, but again it is doable with OTC reagents.
If anhydrous AlCl3 or AlBr3 is available, then diphenylacetonitrile can also be formed as suggested at the bottom of the original page.
The rest of the precursors and procedures seem rather straightforward. I'm not sure if there is a common name for a-demethylated methadone. When I first thought about it I canceled out the "meth"s (even though "meth" in "methadone" most certainly refers to the N-methyl groups) and said "adone" then "Adonis." So if it doesn't have a name, I'm claiming Adonis for it
Another interesting note is that cyclization and subsequent de-cyclization of the 2-(dimethylamino)ethylbromide won't lead to racemate problems like with 1-dimethylamino-2-chloropropane since you get the same original molecule no matter which way it reopens.
35987895-JANSSEN-2-2-DIARYL-4-4-ARYL-4-HYDROXY-PIPER-IDINO-BUTYRAMIDES-US3714159.pdf