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Instructor/Advisor

Dr. Brian Provencher

Keywords

Organic Synthesis, methamphetamine addiction

Abstract

Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug that belongs to the amphetamines class. It is often misused due to the euphoric effects it produces. When methamphetamine enters the brain, it targets VMAT2, which stands for vesicular monoamine transporter. This protein is responsible for transporting monoamines such as dopamine and norepinephrine into the brain. Methamphetamine causes VMAT2 to function in reverse, leading to increased levels of monoamines in the synaptic cleft, which results in a feeling of euphoria. Previous analogs of aryl piperidines have demonstrated a strong binding affinity for VMAT2. Therefore, targeting VMAT2 could be a potential strategy to counteract methamphetamine addiction. The goal of this research is to synthesize a compound that features an aryl group. Two reactions have been successfully synthesized, yielding the starting material for the third reaction which will include the aryl group. While progress has been made, challenges are currently being faced in effectively purifying the second reaction. Some of the challenges in purifying reaction two will be discussed in this research.

Organic Synthesis of a Derivative of 4-Piperidone Hydrochloride Monohydrate to Treat Methamphetamine Addiction

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