Chemical Education Today
Letters Triboluminescent Crystals from the Microwave Oven
In California, N-Acetylanthranilic Acid and Anthranilic Acid Are Controlled Substances— Have You Been Using Them Illegally? A recent J. Chem. Educ. article “Triboluminescent Crystals from the Microwave Oven” (1) describes the easy, one-minute preparation of N-acetylanthranilic acid, which, after recrystallization, yields crystals that provide a brilliant display of triboluminescence. Given this added interest, I would assume that many college organic laboratory courses have added this to their list of experiments. A quick search in Google indicates that at least seven schools have included this experiment in their Web-posted laboratory curricula. I have just discovered that California classifies Nacetylanthranilic acid as a controlled substance that also appears on the DEA List 1. According to the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement Precursor Program unauthorized and unregulated possession or storage of this compound is considered a felony. Additionally, the anthranilic acid used in the preparation is similarly classified. While the regulation of these compounds outside of California may be different, I would think that anyone using this experiment should check with local authorities before proceeding. Literature Cited 1. Baldwin, Bruce W.; Wilhite, David M. J. Chem. Educ. 2002, 79, 1344.
The author replies: What Is the Proper Regulation of Controlled Substances at Educational Institutions? Professor Rheingold raises an important issue the chemical education community needs to seriously consider. No doubt many chemistry laboratories at colleges and universities and other research laboratories are in possession of chemicals now classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as controlled substances. A search of JCE’s online index reveals other preparations utilizing anthranilic acid. These experiments include the original sparking crystals preparation (1) and a reference using anthranilic acid to make methyl anthranilate (artificial grape odor) and a benzyne intermediate (2). In 1993, a new preparation of benzyne was published, not because anthranilic acid was a controlled substance, but because the dry intermediate salt has a tendency to explode (3). It is very likely that these procedures are used at numerous undergraduate institutions because of the three decades of distribution. This issue is an interesting one for any supervisor of undergraduate laboratory curricula. What now should legitimate laboratories do with these chemicals? What are the legal, moral, and ethical considerations that need to be dealt with in this situation? Is this matter serious enough that we, as a chemical education community, should discuss and develop guidelines and procedures? These issues may need to be examined. Literature Cited 1. Erikson, J. J. Chem. Educ. 1972, 49, 688. 2. Dougherty, C. M.; Baumgarten, R. L.; Sweeney, A. Jr.; Concepcion, E. J. Chem. Educ. 1977, 54, 643–644. 3. Drouin, J.; Jacq, P. J. Chem. Educ. 1993, 70, 863–864.
Arnold L. Rheingold
Bruce Baldwin
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093-0358
[email protected] Department of Chemistry Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI 49283
[email protected] www.JCE.DivCHED.org
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Vol. 81 No. 8 August 2004
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Journal of Chemical Education
1121
