Patil,+Gabriel


 * __Methadone__**

**__Structural Formula:__**
(This is Methadone Hydrochloride, its useable form.)

**__Uses:__**
-Is used as an analgesic (pain killer) -Opioid alternative used to treat opiate dependencies and addiction. -Chemically unlike opiods morphine and heroin, but inhabits same neuro-receptors, and lasts in those receptors for up to seven times longer than heroin. -In 2008 it was discovered that methadone has surprising killing power against leukemia, especially those that were characterized as “untreatable” or those that have become resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.

**__How it is synthesized:__**
__Hydrolysis with 2N H2SO4:__ -Toluene solution from a complex from ethylmagnesium iodide is heated with 2-Diphenyl-3-methyl-4-dimethylaminobutyronitrile and excess 2N HCl solution (1M) on a boiling water bath for thirty minutes, creating methadone sulfate crystals upon cooling. -The crystals are filtered and suspended in water, and 25% NaOH solution is added to liberate the free base, which was extracted with ether. -The etheral solution is dried over MgSO4, and added to ethanolic HCl, where Methadone Hydrochloride, it’s usable form, is precipitated.

__**Chemical Properties:**__ Molar mass-345.9 g/mol (The hydrochloric form) Melting point81.0 oC Form at STPsolid Half-life---variable Solubility in water-120 g/L