re: what is ritalin ? thanks chuck
John, the structures of ritalin and amphetamine are rather different inasmuch that amphetamine is built from a single aromatic ring while Ritalin has an aromatic ring plus an unsaturated ring connected through a hydroxyl group. I suppose in theory you might be able to use ritalin as a precursor to amphetamine synthesis but it would be wasteful, expensive and rather silly. These days ephedrine is the prefered starting material though there are other pathways available.
Further, the mechanism of action of Ritalin as a stimulant (or in ADHD) remains unclear while amphetamines are known to stimulate a variety or receptors including adrenergic and serotonin both directly and indirectly through the release of these neurotransmitters from nerve endings.
