video tutorial Synthesis of a piperidine ephedrone analogue - with James Earl Jones
Purpose: One-pot synthesis of a phenethylamine ketone starting from propiophenone, yielding a piperidine-containing ephedrone-like analog (not pharmacologically active).
Approach: Alpha-bromination of propiophenone in dichloromethane to form an alpha-bromo ketone, followed by substitution with piperidine hydrochloride to install the amine, then base-mediated formation of the free base and aqueous-organic workup to isolate the product.
Scale and hazards: small-scale experiment; intermediate bromoketone is hazardous and irritating; bromination generates hydrogen bromide smoke; use dry apparatus and appropriate safety precautions.
Purification: acid-base extraction, drying, solvent evaporation, and crystallization (with hydrochloric acid and acetone) to yield the free base and then the hydrochloride salt; two crystallized batches obtained (total around 0.85 g from starting material).
Notes: use of secondary amine (piperidine) avoids potential pyrazine formation seen with primary amines; aroma observed for the intermediate; additional videos referenced for starting material synthesis and amine salt preparation.
