Cocaine

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Slide 1

Chemical Reactions in the Drug World

Synthesis and Biological Actions of Cocaine

Slide 2

Overview

Cocaine Synthesis and Extraction

Affects of Cocaine on the human body

Cocaine in the media

Slide 3

Cocaine Extraction

Coca leaves are stripped from the plant and crushed, chopped, and/or pounded

mixed with a solution of alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, or some other solvent that will remove the cocaine from the leaves.

Slide 4

2. Acid-Base Neutralization

1. Dissolve using solvents

Extraction and Purification

3. Oxidation to ↑ purity colour Δ indicates end rxn

Slide 5

Cocaine Purification

The resulting liquid contains unpurified cocaine alkaloids and waxy material from the leaves. The waxy material is removed by heating and cooling the mixture, which solidifies the unwanted wax.

cocaine alkaloids are isolated from the liquid using acid and base mixtures. The removed alkaloids are then treated with kerosene.

The kerosene is removed and crystals of crude cocaine are left at the bottom of the tank. The crystals are dissolved in methyl alcohol.

Slide 6

Cont’d

Purification and Conversion

4. Removes precipitate from last rxn

5. acid-base neutralization

6. Dissolve in solvent

7. Dissolve in solvent crystallizes

Slide 7

Cocaine Purification

They are then recrystallized and dissolved in sulfuric acid, which results in cocaine that is about 60% pure.

cocaine at this point is freebase cocaine (crack). When a person freebases cocaine, or makes crack, they are reversing what is done in the next process.

Slide 8

Slide 9

Cocaine Conversion

freebase is converted cocaine hydrochloride (a salt). The reasons for the conversion

1) left in this form for long it would lose its potency

2) To purify it to about 99% cocaine purity

3) To make it water soluble. Coke in this form can't be injected or snorted into the bloodstream. Any drug which is injected into the human body must be dissolvable in water, if it is not, it will remain in a non dissolved clump. Clumps cause strokes or heart attacks