Identification of Safrole ;

a precursor chemical

Tassaporn Khlaeo-om
Bureau of Drug and Narcotic
Department of Medical Science, Nonthaburi
 What’s Safrole?
{ Safrole is a precursor chemical of
ring-substituted amphetamine-type
substances
ex. MDMA or “Ecstasy”
MDA
MDE
 Structure of Safrole

Formula : C10H10O2
Synonym : 3,4-methylenedioxyallylbenzene
5-(2-propenyl)-1,3-benzodioxole
Allyldioxybenzene methylene ether
 Physical Properties
z Chemical class : aromatic bicyclic phenol ether
z Habit : colorless to slightly yellow
liquid with an odor of sassafras
z Solubility : H2O – insoluble
Propylene glycol- slightly soluble
EtOH, CHCl3, diethyl ether
z Mol Wt. : 162.18 g/mol
z Melting point : 11.2 C
z Boiling point : 234.5 C at 760 mm Hg
 Sources of Safrole
z Synthesis from basic and uncontrolled
chemical
z Safrole containing plants :
North America
South America
East Asia
South East Asia
 Sources of Safrole
z Natural sources - different species
zLauraceae family
( Sassafras albidum, Cinnamomum camphora,
Ocotea cymbarum and Ocotea pretiosa)

zPiperaceae family
( Piper hispidinervium)
Cinnamomum camphora
 Applications
z Flavoring agent
( drugs, beverages and foods )

z Perfume and Soap

z Flavor some soft drink

( root beer)
 Law Enforcement
z Schedule IV under Narcotic Act,
B.E. 2522

(ยาเสพติดใหโทษประเภท 4 (ลําดับที่ 15) ประกาศกระทรวง

สาธารณสุขฉบับที่ 35 (พ.ศ.2539) พระราชบัญญัติยาเสพติด
ใหโทษ พ.ศ. 2522)
 Samples
z ตัวอยางจากสํานักงานคณะกรรมการอาหารและยา
z ลักษณะเปนของเหลวใส ไมมีสี มีตะกอน
 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 : Agilent, DB-1
(30 m, 0.32 mm id, 0.25 um)
Col. temp : initial 100 C-2 min,
rate 20 C/min,
final 280 C-5 min
Inj. temp : 250 C
Det. temp : 280 C
RT (min) : 4.6
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
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION