Safrole
Encyclopedia : S : SA : SAF : Safrole
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| Other names | shikimol |
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| Density | 3 |
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Safrole was once widely used as a food additive in root beer, sassafras tea, and other common goods. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) barred the use of safrole after it was shown to be mildly carcinogenic. Today, safrole is also banned for use in soap and perfumes by IFRA.
It is a precursor in the synthesis of the insecticide synergist piperonyl butoxide. More recently, safrole has been used as the main precursor for the clandestine manufacture of MDMA (Ecstasy) and MDEA (Eve). The standard synthetic procedure for the production of MDMA from safrole is via isomerization in the presence of a strong base to isosafrole. This is then oxidised to 3,4-methylenedioxy phenyl-2-propanone. Finally a reductive amination with either methylamine (to make MDMA) or ethylamine (to make MDEA).
It is nearly impossible to obtain large quantities of safrole and/or sassafras oil without arousing the suspicion of law enforcement, as Safrole is currently a List I chemical. Moreover, safrole is listed as a Table I precursor under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances[link].
External links
- [EU Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances: internal aspects]
- IARC [Safrole, Isosafrole and dihydrosafrole]
- For a full list of external links to MSDSs, spectroscopic data, commercial chemicals suppliers etc. for this compound, see [Chemical sources].
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