Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Phenylacetones
Introduction
Phenylacetones are a group of organic compounds containing a phenyl moiety and an acetone moiety bonded together, the archetypal example being phenylacetone.
Phenylacetones often play a role in the illict synthesis of amphetamine and its analogues, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (MDP2P) for example being used in the production of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) [1], 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) [2], 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) [3] and other homologues.
Because of their use in illict drug synthesis, some Phenylacetones are controlled or regulated in many parts of the world.