The Background and Chemistry of MDMA

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic compound first developed in 1912 by the German pharmaceutical company Merck. Its chemical structure combines features of methamphetamine and mescaline, placing it within the phenethylamine class. The paper traces the historical background of MDMA, describing its initial synthesis, its later emergence as a recreational drug known as ecstasy, and its chemical properties. It explains the molecule's structure, its relationship to other amphetamine derivatives, and how its chemical composition influences its psychoactive effects. The work provides a foundational overview of MDMA's chemistry and historical context, serving as an introduction to the substance for a conference on its pharmacological and psychological implications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

(1986). The Background and Chemistry of MDMA. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 18, MDMA: Proceedings of the Conference, pp. 291-304.