Work

The ecstasy and the agony; compression studies of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a Class A substance that is usually found in a tableted form. It is only observed in one orthorhombic polymorph under ambient conditions. It shows slight positional disorder around the methlyenedioxy ring which persists during compression up to 6.66 GPa. The crystal quality deteriorates above 6.66 GPa where the hydrostatic limit of the pressure-transmitting medium is exceeded. The structure undergoes anisotropic compression with the a-axis compressing the greatest (12% cf. 4 and 10% for the b- and c-axes, respectively). This is due to the pattern of the hydrogen bonding which acts like a spring and allows the compression along this direction.

Source: Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science Crystal Engineering and Materials

DOI: 10.1107/s2052520614026389

Authors: Lauren E. Connor, Amit Delori, Ian B. Hutchison, Niamh Nic Daeid, Oliver B. Sutcliffe, Iain D. H. Oswald

Institutions: University of Strathclyde, University of Dundee, Manchester Metropolitan University

Language: English

Topic: Crystal structures of chemical compounds

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Award: G7953697867