Safrole (chemical formula: C10H10O2) is a colorless or slightly yellow oily liquid. It is typically extracted from sassafras plants in the form of sassafras oil , or synthesized from other related methylenedioxy compounds. It is the principle component of brown camphor oil, and is found in small amounts in a wide variety of plants. It has a characteristic "candy-shop" aroma.
Safrole was once widely used as a food additive in root beer, sassafras tea, and other common goods. However, the FDA barred the use of safrole after it was shown to be mildly carcinogenic.
Today, safrole is used for making soap and perfumes, aromatheraputic agents, and the insecticide heliotropin (piperonal butoxide). More recently, safrole has been used as the main precursor for the clandestine manufacture of MDMA (Ecstasy) and MDEA (Eve). The standard synthetic procedure for the production of MDMA from safrole is via isomerization in the presence of a strong base to isosafrole. This is then oxidised to 3,4-methylenedioxy phenyl-2-propanone. Finally a reductive amination with either methylamine (to make MDMA) or ethylamine (to make MDEA).
It is nearly impossible to obtain large quantities of safrole and/or sassafras oil without arousing the suspicion of law enforcement, as Safrole is currently a List I chemical.
External links