What is iodine used for in meth?
By Sarah Oconnor
What is iodine used for in meth?
Methamphetamine producers use iodine crystals to produce hydriodic acid, the preferred reagent in the ephedrine/pseudoephedrine reduction method of d-methamphetamine production. A reagent is a chemical used in reactions to convert a precursor into a finished product.
What happens when you mix phosphorus and iodine?
White phosphorus, P4, reacts vigorously with all the halogens at room temeperature to form phosphorus trihalides. White phosphorus, P4, reacts with iodine, I2, in carbon disulphide (CS2) to form phosphorus(II) iodide, P2I4. The same compound is formed in the reaction between red phosphorus and iodine, I2, at 180°C.
Is iodine legal to buy?
The federal government regulates the sale of iodine crystals, which are readily available for legitimate uses. However, it is illegal to import, export, purchase, or sell iodine crystals in the United States if they are used or intended to be used in the production of methamphetamine.
Is red phosphorus illegal?
To make hydriodic acid, red phosphorus is combined with iodine in the procedure. However, red phosphorus is illegal to import, export, purchase, or sell iodine crystals in the United States if they are used or intended to be used in the production of methamphetamine.
What is red phosphorus used for?
Red phosphorus is used in the production of semiconductors, pyrotechnics, fertilizers, safety matches, pesticides, smoke bombs, incendiary shells in organic synthesis reactions and certain flame retardants. It is also used in electroluminescent coatings.
Why can you not buy iodine anymore?
Iodine, for many years used by walkers and mountaineers to disinfect water, will be banned in the European Union from autumn. The main risks from drinking untreated water come from bacteria, viruses and parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium.
What is the Birch method?
The Birch Reduction method combines anhydrous ammonia and lithium or sodium metal with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. The red-P method produces methamphetamine by combining ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with red phosphorous, iodine crystals, and water.
