Journal of Organic & Inorganic Chemistry

Physical and Chemical Profiles of MDMA Tablets Seized in Indonesia

Objective: During 2022, a total amount seizure of ecstasy reached 872 thousand tablets in Indonesia. Physical characteristics were recorded, but no data available regarding to the chemical profiles of those tablets. Chemical characterization is an initial stage to predict the plausible synthesis pathway and precursors used in the manufacturing process. Hence, profiling methodology of the ecstasy tablets which consist of physical and chemical characterization needs to be started. This study aimed to gather information from both examinations to the Pink Versace ecstasy tablets seized in Indonesia.

Methods: Physical examination addressed the shapes, colors, logos, coating and imprint descriptions, dimensions and weights of the ecstasy tablets. Sample extraction under alkaline condition of pH 12.80 and pH 10.18 were carried out to the tablets, and then the profiles of organic impurities were investigated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Further investigation using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) was applied to measure the MDMA content in the ecstasy tablets.

Results: In this work, a total of 25 impurities were detected in typical GC chromatogram from two extraction methods. Safrole, isosafrole, piperonal and 3, 4-MDP2P were detected in samples, hence posed a challenge to determine the main precursor used. The presence of impurities 1-(3,4- Methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-propanol and 3,4- Methylenedioxy-N-methylbenzylamine suggested a reductive amination route of 3,4-MDP2P from piperonal, which presumably derived from safrole as main precursor.

Conclusion: Physical and chemical characteristics of the investigated tablets could be identified thus initiate a database of ecstasy tablet profiles in Indonesia.

Author(s): Tanti, Carolina Tonggo Marisi Tambunan, Christien Andriyani Lalangi, Maimunah and Erlana Nindya Maulida

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