This is an indeed novel route to methamphetamine...
4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazole + Sodium Ethoxide -> Methamphetamine
Helv.Chim.Acta; 25, 528 (1942)
Patent CH233303 (http://l2.espacenet.com/dips/viewer?PN=CH233303&CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD)
Preparations of 4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazole
1-bromo-1-phenyl-propan-2-one + formamide -> 4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazole (Benzene, P2S5, 143-147°C/10mmHg, 45%)
J.Chem.Soc.Perkin Trans.2, 1538-1543 (1981)
4-methyl-thiazole + Benzoyl Peroxide -> 4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazole
Bull.Soc.Chim.Fr., 3280-3288 (1968)
1-bromo-1-phenyl-propan-2-one + thioformamide -> 4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazole
Helv.Chim.Acta; 25, 528 (1942)
1-chloro-1-phenyl-propan-2-one -> 2,5-dimethyl-3,6-diphenyl-[1,4]dithiane-2,5-diol (Et2O, MeOH, NaHS, H2S, -20°C)
2,5-dimethyl-3,6-diphenyl-[1,4]dithiane-2,5-diol + CH2O + NH3 => 4-methyl-5-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-thiazole
4-methyl-5-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-thiazole + Sulfur -> 4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazole
Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem.; 615, 77, 83 (1958)
Bull.Soc.Chim.Fr. 4514 (1967)
Bull.Soc.Chim.Fr. 4521 (1967)
C.R.Hebd.Seances Acad.Sci.Ser.C 262, 687 (1966)
C.R.Hebd.Seances Acad.Sci.Ser.C 264, 336 (1967)
C.R.Hebd.Seances Acad.Sci.Ser.C 265, 744 (1967)
C.R.Hebd.Seances Acad.Sci.Ser.C 266, 822 (1968)
I have never before seen such a well-hidden synthesis of methamphetamine in an article before - it is really hard to spot that they are actually synthesizing it from one of their isoxazolines (check the article yourself).
2-Methylisoxazolin-5-ones. Part I.
F. DeSarlo, L. Fabbrini, G. Renzi
Tetrahedron 22, 2989-2994 (1966) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/meth.2-methylisoxazolin-5-one.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/meth.2-methylisoxazolin-5-one.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/hive/hiveboard/picproxie_docs/000465430-file_v7uu.gif)
2,3-Dimethyl-4-phenylisoxazolin-5-one (IX)
Ethyl alpha-phenylacetoacetate (0.1 mole) and N-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.45 mole) in anhydrous pyridine (100 ml) were heated at 100°C for 12 hr. The residue after evaporation of the solvent was washed with ether, then with water, yield 91%; mp 112-113°C (ligroin). In alcohol, as reaction solvent, the yield was 73%.
Hydrogenation of IX
A solution of IX (0.02 moles) in 150 ml anhydrous EtOH* was shaken for 1 day under a 3-4 atm. H2 pressure, with Raney Ni. After the absorption of 0.04 moles H2, the solution was filtered and fractionated to isolate N-Methylamphetamine (XIV); bp 38°C/0.3 torr; 208°C/750 torr. mp of the hydrochloride 129-134°C.
* If 95% EtOH was used instead of anhydrous, the compound only absorbed 1 equivalent of H2 and the product was instead the intermediate imine.
Precursor Synthesis
Ethyl Phenylacetate + Ethyl Acetate -> Ethyl alpha-Phenylacetoacetate
J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 69, 119 (1947)
J. Chem. Soc. 123, 1764 (1923)
Chem. Ber. 63, 1557 (1930)
Chem. Ber. 66, 1512 (1933)
Phenylacetonitrile + Ethyl Acetate -> Phenylacetoacetonitrile
Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 2, p. 487 (http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv2p0487)
(http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv2p0487)
Phenylacetoacetonitrile -> Ethyl alpha-Phenylacetoacetate
Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 2, p. 284 (http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv2p0284)
(http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv2p0284)
Also...
P2P from a-Phenylacetoacetonitrile
http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv2p0389 (http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/prep.asp?prep=cv2p0389)
This is why benzyl cyanide and phenyl acetic acid is so HIGHLY RESTRICTED.
Reference from Post 465430 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=7893.msg46543000#msg46543000)
(Rhodium: "Novel thiazole route to methamphetamine", Stimulants)
Strukturchemishe Untersuchungen IV.
Über eine reduzierende Aufspaltung des 5-Phenyl-4-methyl-thiazols
H. P. Schenk and D. Lamparsky
Journal of Chromatography, 204, 391-395 (1981) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/nutmeg.oil.analysis.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/nutmeg.oil.analysis.pdf)
Summary: Sodium metal reduction of 5-Phenyl-4-Methyl-Thiazole to Methamphetamine.