Why Does MDMA Contain “methamphetamine” in It’s Title?

Published December 6, 2012

Question by Drew: Why does MDMA contain “methamphetamine” in it’s title?
MDMA and Methamphetamine are two completely different drugs. Why, then, does MDMA contain “methamphetamine” in its title?

Best answer:

Answer by karin
MDMA is short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It’s full IUPAC (chemical) name is 1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA

Methamphetamine or N-methylamphetamine has the IUPAC name (2S)-N-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine

So, why does MDMA contain “methamphetamine” in its title?

It is because the central part of both molecules are similar. Crudely speaking, MDMA could be looked at as a “derivative” of methamphetamine although the two drugs are very different compounds.

For example, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNT), a high explosive, and chlorobenzene, a non-flammable solvent, both have benzene in the name but the two compounds are completely different.

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