Phenylacetone is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH2COCH3. It is a colorless oil that is soluble in organic solvents. This substance is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and amphetamine, where it is commonly known as P2P. Due to the illicit uses in clandestine chemistry, it was declared a schedule II controlled substance in the United States in 1980. In humans, phenylacetone occurs as a metabolite of amphetamine and methamphetamine via FMO3-mediated oxidative deamination. Synthesis One method of creating phenylacetone is via: phenylacetic acid (C8H8O2) + acetic anhydride (C4H6O3) + pyridine catalyst → phenylacetone (C9H10O) + carbon dioxide (CO2) + water (H2O) Sodium acetate has been used instead of pyridine. In the 20th century chloroacetone, benzene, and anhydrous aluminum chloride were used to synthesize phenylacetone. The reaction included Friedel–Crafts alkylation. Amphetamine metabolism In popular culture In the TV series Breaking Bad, Walter White manufactures methamphetamine through an enantioselective variation of the P2P method, starting from phenylacetone. See also MDP2P – related compound with a methylenedioxy group, and a precursor to MDMA. Cyclohexylacetone – the cyclohexane derivative of phenylacetone Phenylacetones Methamphetamine Notes Reference notes References Amphetamine Ketones Phenyl compounds Benzyl compounds