An investigation into isotopic fractionation during the production of 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) from the novel precursor helional, and during the hydrochloric (HCl) salt precipitation of MDMA was conducted. Minimal changes occurred to δ13C composition from helional to MDMA.HCl. Isotope fractionation was, however, observed in δ2H, δ18O and δ15N compositions. These results suggest minimal information with strategic intelligence applications can be collected for MDMA by IRMS alone. However, information with tactical intelligence applications can be gained by identifying batch-to-batch variations between MDMA samples based on the isotopic changes observed here.

From helional to 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (MDP2P) shifts were observed in δ2H and δ18O composition. Additional changes occurred to δ2H and δ18O compositions during the synthesis of MDMA from MDP2P. A positive shift was observed in δ15N composition from methylamine to MDMA during reductive amination of MDP2P. During the HCl salt precipitation of MDMA, fractionation of δ15N from xylene was consistent with the proposed mechanism. Smaller fractionation was observed from dichloromethane (DCM). Fractionation also occurred to δ2H compositions during HCl salt precipitation which is explained by the addition of hydrogen during the process.