Dec 5, 2021 06:43 PM
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/genera...-bad-story
EXCERPTS: The synthesis of methamphetamine, or “crystal meth” is a huge clandestine industry. “Breaking Bad” captivated television audiences with a storyline about Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with lung cancer and worries about the financial security of his family after his demise, which appears to be imminent. He knows that producing crystal meth can be very lucrative and uses his chemical knowledge to start “cooking” the stuff. The chemistry in the show is basically accurate and is described in quite some detail.
[...] Now we get to Bradley Allen Rowland [Henderson State University in Arkansas], a would-be real-life Walter White. As an organic chemist, he knew that phenylacetone can be easily made in the lab from acetone and benzyl chloride. Neither of these is a restricted substance, so Rowland was off and running. Maybe he was literally running because he spilled a bottle of benzyl chloride. This is a potent lachrymator, nasty stuff indeed. The fumes spread through the chemistry building and prompted an investigation that revealed the chemist’s nefarious activities.
Unlike White, Rowland apparently was synthesizing meth for personal use. He pleaded guilty to manufacturing a controlled substance and was sentenced to four months in jail. He also had to enrol in a substance abuse program and pay the University $150,000 as restitution for the cost of cleaning up the benzyl chloride spill. The chemistry building had to be closed for three weeks!
Had Rowland handled the benzyl chloride more carefully, he might still be “cooking” meth in his lab....(MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: The synthesis of methamphetamine, or “crystal meth” is a huge clandestine industry. “Breaking Bad” captivated television audiences with a storyline about Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with lung cancer and worries about the financial security of his family after his demise, which appears to be imminent. He knows that producing crystal meth can be very lucrative and uses his chemical knowledge to start “cooking” the stuff. The chemistry in the show is basically accurate and is described in quite some detail.
[...] Now we get to Bradley Allen Rowland [Henderson State University in Arkansas], a would-be real-life Walter White. As an organic chemist, he knew that phenylacetone can be easily made in the lab from acetone and benzyl chloride. Neither of these is a restricted substance, so Rowland was off and running. Maybe he was literally running because he spilled a bottle of benzyl chloride. This is a potent lachrymator, nasty stuff indeed. The fumes spread through the chemistry building and prompted an investigation that revealed the chemist’s nefarious activities.
Unlike White, Rowland apparently was synthesizing meth for personal use. He pleaded guilty to manufacturing a controlled substance and was sentenced to four months in jail. He also had to enrol in a substance abuse program and pay the University $150,000 as restitution for the cost of cleaning up the benzyl chloride spill. The chemistry building had to be closed for three weeks!
Had Rowland handled the benzyl chloride more carefully, he might still be “cooking” meth in his lab....(MORE - missing details)