(Document VIII)

The risk assessment of MBDB has been performed by reference to MDMA because both are
usually sold as ecstasy. A review of the scientific literature on MBDB reveals that the data is
much more limited than the information available on MDMA which is itself incomplete.

3.1 Chemical description

The meeting noted that MBDB is N-Methyl-1-(1,3-BenzoDioxol-5-yl)-2-Butanamine. It is the -
ethyl homologue of MDMA. MBDB can be synthesised from 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-
butanone (BDB). BDB can be synthesised from piperonal and 1-nitropropane or 1-
bromopropane.

MBDB is synthesised by chemical reactions similar to those used to produce MDMA, but with
different precursor chemicals (1-nitropropane or 1-bromopropane) and cannot be produced
by accident during attempts to synthesise MDMA. Hence it is synthesised by design from
materials which will provide the extra carbon atom which distinguishes MBDB from MDMA.

3.2 Pharmaceutical description

MBDB is mainly sold as tablets for oral consumption and occasionally as capsules or powder.
The drug is virtually always sold as ecstasy. It has the same pharmaceutical appearance as
MDMA. The logo may be indicative of the content of the tablet, but usually the user is unable to
distinguish MBDB from MDMA tablets.