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MDMA (short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a widely used and abused psychoactive drug. Known on the street as 鈥渆cstasy鈥�, it is illegal in most countries. It has no established medical uses; but it is available to qualified researchers. As shown in the hazard information table, it is toxic in numerous ways.
MDMA is a water-insoluble viscous oil and therefore difficult to handle. Because of this, it is usually prepared as an aqueous solution of its hydrochloride salt. It is a chiral molecule normally produced as the racemate. The (R)-enantiomer (shown) remains in the body, especially in blood plasma, significantly longer than its (S) counterpart.
A cautionary tale about MDMA occurred in 2013, when Tatsunori Iwamura, a pharmacy professor at Matsuyama University (Japan) allegedly . Iwamura has admitted to the act, which was not revealed until April of this year. At this time, the situation is still under investigation.
MDMA hazard information
| GHS classification*: flammable liquids, category 2 | |
| H225鈥擧ighly flammable liquid and vapor |  |
| GHS classification: acute toxicity, oral, category 3 | |
| H301鈥擳oxic if swallowed |  |
| GHS classification: acute toxicity, dermal, category 3 | |
| H311鈥擳oxic in contact with skin | |
| GHS classification: acute toxicity, inhalation, category 3 | |
| H331鈥擳oxic if inhaled | |
| GHS classification: specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, category 1 | |
| H370鈥擟auses damage to organs |  |
*Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.聽
MDMA fast facts
| CAS Reg. No. | 42542-10-9 |
| Empirical formula | C11H15NO2 |
| Molar mass | 193.25 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless oil |
| Boiling point | 105 潞C (0.4 torr) |
| Water solubility | Insoluble |
MOTW update:
May 31, 2021
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a widely abused psychoactive drug known on the street as 鈥渆cstasy鈥�. MDMA, however, may have a beneficial use. Jennifer M. Mitchell at the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues there and at several other institutions worldwide report that the drug is (PTSD).Their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study was conducted with 90 participants at 15 sites in three countries.
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