Identification of Safrole ; a precursor chemical

Tassaporn Khlaeo-om Bureau of Drug and Narcotic Department of Medical Science, Nonthaburi

Whats Safrole?
Safrole is a precursor chemical of ring-substituted amphetamine-type substances ex. MDMA or Ecstasy MDA MDE

Structure of Safrole

Formula Synonym

: :

C10H10O2 3,4-methylenedioxyallylbenzene 5-(2-propenyl)-1,3-benzodioxole Allyldioxybenzene methylene ether

Physical Properties
Chemical class : Habit : Solubility :
aromatic bicyclic phenol ether colorless to slightly yellow liquid with an odor of sassafras

Mol Wt. : Melting point : Boiling point :

H2O insoluble Propylene glycol- slightly soluble EtOH, CHCl3, diethyl ether 162.18 g/mol 11.2 C 234.5 C at 760 mm Hg

Sources of Safrole
Synthesis from basic and uncontrolled chemical Safrole containing plants : North America South America East Asia South East Asia

Sources of Safrole
Natural sources - different species Lauraceae family
( Sassafras albidum, Cinnamomum camphora, Ocotea cymbarum and Ocotea pretiosa)

Piperaceae family
( Piper hispidinervium)

Cinnamomum camphora

Applications
Flavoring agent ( drugs, beverages and foods ) Perfume and Soap Flavor some soft drink ( root beer)

Law Enforcement
Schedule IV under Narcotic Act, B.E. 2522

( 4 ( 15) 35 (..2539) .. 2522)

Samples

Screening Test
I. Color Test 1) Marquis reagent deep blue turning to dark purple

Screening Test
I. Color Test 2) Gallic acid brown turning to dark brownish red

Confirmation test
II. UV spectrophotometry wavelength (nm) : 288.20 and 236.00

236.00 nm 288.20 nm

Fig. 1 UV spectrum of Safrole and sample 2

236.00 nm

288.20 nm

Fig. 2 UV spectrum of Safrole and sample 2

Confirmation Test
III. GC SHIMADZU - 2010
Column Col. temp : Agilent, DB-1 (30 m, 0.32 mm id, 0.25 um) : initial 100 C-2 min, rate 20 C/min, final 280 C-5 min : 250 C : 280 C : 4.6

Inj. temp Det. temp RT (min)

Fig.3 Chromatogram of Safrole standard ( RT 4.682 min )

Fig.4 Chromatogram of sample 1 ( RT 4.665 min )

Fig.4 Chromatogram of sample 2 ( RT 4.670 min )

Confirmation Test
IV. GC-MS m/z at 162 131 104 77 63 51

Fig.5 Mass spectrum of Safrole standard

Fig.6 Mass spectrum of sample 1

Fig.7 Mass spectrum of sample 2

Fig.8 Mass spectrum of Safrole from library

Conclusion
Screening Test : Color test : Marquis and Gallic acid Confirmation Test : UV Spectrophotometry GC GC-MS

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