Phenylacetone (P2P) Oil

Phenylacetone also known as phenyl-2-propanone is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₅CH₂C(=O)CH₃. It is a colorless oil that is soluble in organic solvents, but not water. This substance is used in the manufacture of amphetamine substances, such as methamphetamine, where it is commonly known as P2P. As such it is a a schedule II controlled substance in the United States (and most of the world), and cannot be acquired freely.

Phenyl-2-propanone Synthesis

There are many routes to synthesize phenylacetone (P2P) Oil. Industry uses the gas-phase ketonic decarboxylation of phenylacetic acid using acetic acid over a ceria-alumina solid acid catalyst. A related laboratory-scale reaction has been described.

An alternative route is zeolite-catalyzed isomerization of phenyl propylene oxide. Another laboratory synthesis involves conventional routes including the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of chloroacetone with benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride catalyst.