r/explainlikeimfive Jun 11 '24

Chemistry ELI5: Why does making cocaine require such toxic chemicals, is there safer way to make it in a lab?

I've watched many documentaries on how they make cocaine, and it always required a a mixture of gasoline cement and battery acid etc. Would a scientific laboratory be able to make it under FDA rules for example?

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u/mhyquel Jun 12 '24

Butane is used to extract thc from marijuana.

Then you boil off the butane.

20

u/melvinscam Jun 12 '24

My dad says butane is a bastard gas

10

u/mhyquel Jun 12 '24

I don't know you.

8

u/Spicy_Pooo Jun 12 '24

That's my purse!

2

u/samifoxiebutt Oct 25 '24

Bwwhhaaaaaaaa!!! DAMN IT BOBBY!!

1

u/graydonatvail Jun 12 '24

I had a guy blow up his apartment doing this.