Swim has a few questions regarding epikur's one pot prodine synth. After scouring TFSE for some time I am left with a couple simple questions (having only two semesters of gen chemistry under my belt, go easy on me). I have found alpha-methylstyrene to be available, and am curious if the ratios or procedure need to be adjusted when using this precursor (the write-up uses a-ethylstyrene). I am also curious about the potency of the final product when using a-methylstyrene in place of a-ethylstyrene. Thanks.

It is not a good idea to use alpha-methylstyrene, as there is a non-negligible risk of MPTP contamination of your final product if using that as a precursor.

Further reading:

Post 454769 (missing)

(Aurelius: "MPTP Disaster: J. Forens. Sci. 33(2), 588 (1988)", General Discourse)