Acid-base DXM extraction

Required Materials

Theory

This extraction uses acid-base reactions to extract the DXM HBr from cough syrup to its finished product, DXM salt in lemon juice. The basic ammonia converts the DXM to freebase. The Naptha is used as a nonpolar solvent to extract the DXM from the ammonia. Then, the citric acid binds with the freebase DXM to produce DXM hyrdocitrate, a DXM salt soluble in water. This extraction has a yield around 90-95% when followed carefully.

Materials

• DXM containing cough syrup. Cough syrup containing Dextromethorphan HBr ONLY is ideal. Syrups that also contain Guaifensin are acceptable. Do NOT use any syrups containing any other active ingredients, such as acetaminophen.
• Ammonia (clear, unscented)
• Naptha or Lighter Fluid
• Citric Acid or Lemon Juice

Equipment

• Gallon sized unpleated zipper-seal bags
• Pan and stove
• A large glass bottle or container

Safety

• Use the correct cough syrup as using a cough syrup with active ingredients other than Dextromethorphan HBr is very dangerous.
• Ammonia is flammable and irritating/caustic to the skin. It is caustic to the respiratory system if vapors are inhaled.
• Naptha is a hazardous chemical with multiple safety concerns. It is extremely flammable. It is irritating to the eyes and skin. Vapors can be irritating to the respiratory system and in high concentrations can depress the CNS.
• Do not use plastic containers with naptha (or, ideally, at all). Naptha can chemically attack and degrade many plastics.

Preparation

If using citric acid, prepare a solution in water ahead of time. For each bottle of tussin, use 1.5 tablespoons of citric acid in 4 ounces of water. If using lighter fluid, be sure it evaporates without residue.

Procedure

1. Add the cough syrup to the large glass bottle or sealable container.
2. Add in the same volume of ammonia (some excess is not a problem) and stir.
3. Tightly seal the container and shake vigorously for about 3 minutes.
4. Add in Naptha or lighter fluid, approximately 10% of the mixture in volume (a 1/2-1 inch layer) and shake for another 5 minutes.
5. Pour the liquid into a large gallon-sized zip lock container.
6. Let the mixture separate for 5-15 minutes. The resulting product should have two layers: the naptha layer (which the DXM is now bound to) on top and the ammonia-syrup layer on the bottom.
7. Cut a small hole in one corner of the zip-lock bag to drain. Dispose of the ammonia-syrup layer and collect the naptha/organic layer in a glass jar.
8. Optional: Adding 8 ounces of water to the organic naptha solution and allowing it to separate will minimize the amount of inactive ingredients (ammonia, cough syrup). Repeat this stage 1-3 times.
9. Now mix the solution with the pre-prepared citric acid solution or lemon juice. If using lemon juice, add an equal amount into the solvent layer.
10. Shake vigorously for at least 5 minutes.
11. Pour the solution into the gallon sized bag and allow it to seperate, wait at least 45 minutes for the seperation.
12. Now the citric acid/lemon juice layer is on the bottom with the naptha layer on top. Drain and collect the bottom layer and safely dispose of the top layer.
13. Boil the lemon juice for a few (5-10 minutes) to eliminate any left over organic solvents.
14. Allow to cool, this is your finished product.
15. Drink and enjoy!

• 
  Cough syrup in large sealable container
• 
  Ammonia added to the container with DXM
• 
  Transferred solution into a glass container and added Naptha
• 
  Added to a gallon zip-seal bag for seperation
• 
  After seperation. The top layer is the naptha layer, the bottom is waste ammonia and cough syrup.
• 
  The final product

The final product, concentrated DXM in lemon juice, is extremely bitter. It can help to add 8 ounces of water and a couple teaspoons of sugar to alleviate the taste.

See also

• Preparations
• DXM
• Dissociatives