Designation of Methyl alpha-phenylacetoacetate, a Precursor Chemical Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Phenylacetone, Methamphetamine, and Amphetamine, as a List I Chemical

The Drug Enforcement Administration is finalizing, without change, a March 30, 2021, notice of proposed rulemaking to designate the chemical methyl alpha-phenylacetoacetate (also known as MAPA; methyl 3-oxo-2-phenylbutanoate; methyl 2-phenylacetoacetate; [alpha]- acetyl-benzeneacetic acid, methyl ester; and CAS Number: 16648-44-5) and its optical isomers as a list I chemical under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Methyl alpha-phenylacetoacetate is used in clandestine laboratories to illicitly manufacture the schedule II controlled substances phenylacetone (also known as phenyl-2-propanone, P2P, or benzyl methyl ketone), methamphetamine, and amphetamine and is important to the manufacture of these controlled substances. This final rulemaking subjects handlers (manufacturers, distributors, importers, and exporters) of MAPA to the chemical regulatory provisions of the CSA and its implementing regulations.