Those that seek another route to methamphetamine should study
Patent GB782887
, it describes a process that Del Cason states that can't work, perhaps Adolph Opferman knew something that Mr. Cason didn't, example one states:
"44 grams of acetaldehyde are dropped slowly, with constant stirring, into 100 grams of benzylmagnesium chloride dissolved in 150 cc of absolute diethyl ether. The temperature rises slowly to 50 degrees C, which is kept constant for two hours. the magnesium alkoxide is treated with gaseous methylamine for three hours. The reaction product is cooled slowly, and then extracted with ether, the ethereal solution is dried over magnesium sulfate, the ether carefully removed and pervitin is obtained as a residue."
Undoubtedly this reaction requires rigrously anhydrous conditions. Since the yields aren't given, it's quite possible that they leave a lot to be desired. The lesson that can be learned from the existence of this patent is that one's enemies can't be trusted to tell the truth, or as it said on the streets, "Don't believe the hype!"