Formetorex

Formetorex (INN), also known as formetamide or N-formylamphetamine, is a substituted amphetamine described as an anorectic which does not appear to have ever been marketed.[1]

Formetorex
An image of formetamide
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
N-(1-Phenylpropan-2-yl)formamide
Other names
Formetorex
N-Formylamphetamine
N-(alpha-Methylphenethyl)formamide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1563
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H13NO/c1-9(11-8-12)7-10-5-3-2-4-6-10/h2-6,8-9H,7H2,1H3,(H,11,12)
  • CC(CC1=CC=CC=C1)NC=O
Properties
C10H13NO
Molar mass 163.220 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Formetorex is also an intermediate in the production of amphetamine by the "Leuckart reaction."[2] It is also commonly found as an impurity in clandestine labs where this synthesis method is used.[2][3] Due to the simplicity of the Leuckart reaction, it is the most popular synthetic route employed for the illicit manufacture of amphetamines.[2] The synthesis involves a non-metal reduction that is typically carried out in three steps.[2] For amphetamine synthesis, a mixture of phenylacetone and formamide (sometimes in the presence of formic acid) or ammonium formate, is heated until a condensation reaction results in the intermediate product, formetamide.[2] In the second step, formetamide is hydrolysed using hydrochloric acid, and the reaction mixture is then basified, isolated, and steam distilled to produce the free base.[2] The final step, the product is dissolved in an organic solvent and precipitated as the sulphate salt of amphetamine by adding sulfuric acid.[2]

Diagram of amphetamine synthesis via the Leuckart reaction
Amphetamine synthesis via the Leuckart reaction

References
  1. Ganellin CR, Triggle DJ (21 November 1996). Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents. CRC Press. pp. 568–. ISBN 978-0-412-46630-4.
  2. Laboratory and Scientific Section (2006). Recommended methods of the identification and analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and their ring-substituted analogues in seized materials (PDF). New York: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Vienna. ISBN 92-1-148208-9. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  3. Kram TC (July 1979). "Reidentification of a major impurity in illicit amphetamine". Journal of Forensic Sciences. 24 (3): 596–9. doi:10.1520/JFS10875J. PMID 541629.


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