Profiling ephedrine prepared from N-methylalanine via the Akabori-Momotani reaction.

Novel methods for synthesising methylamphetamine precursors are appearing in clandestine laboratories within Australia. One such laboratory involved the synthesis of ephedrine from N-methylalanine and benzaldehyde via the Akabori-Momotani reaction. This article presents chiral and stable isotope ratios of ephedrine synthesised via this method, along with a chemical profile of methylamphetamine produced from this ephedrine.

Cathinones: Isotopic profiling as an aid to linking seizures.

The number of cathinone derivatives available to the street market has increased steadily since 2008. Many of these compounds have proven to be potent psychostimulants and fatalities have occurred through their recreational use. The method of manufacture is essentially the same for each cathinone, i.