The other monoacetyl morphine, known as 3-monoacetyl morphine, can be made by the acetylation of mor- phine under certain conditions, but in practice this substance is not en- countered.
Morphine
Morphine is invariably present to some degree in heroin. This is because of the decomposition of heroin by moisture. Heroin is also very easily hydrolysed by alkalies during the manufacturing process of No. 3 heroin. A long delay after the precipitation of diacetylmorphine and its separation from the sodium carbonate solution will result in the hydrolysis of diacetyl- morphine with the production of monoacetyl morphine which will further hydrolyse to morphine.
Impurities of Origin
The following impurities of origin may be present in small amounts in No. 3 heroin:
Acetylcodeine hydrochloride Codeine hydrochloride Papaverine Thebaine
The presence of acetylcodeine hydro- chloride and codeine hydrochloride is a result of the codeine present in the original morphine block. The amounts vary for the same reason as stated in the paragraphs on impurities of manu- facture.
No. 4 heroin
No.4 Heroin
No. 4 heroin is usually in the form of a white 'fluffy' powder, although it can be compressed into tablets or slabs of high density.
Impurities of manufacture and origin are similar to those which have been described for No. 3 heroin. Because of the purification processes adopted in the manufacture of No. 4 heroin, the concentration of impurities is of a low order.
Comment:
The presence of impurities such as monoacetyl morphine, acetylcodeine and codeine does not detract from the potency of heroin. All of these com- pounds are in themselves addictive and are scheduled dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordin-
ance.
19
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.