Phenylacetones

Phenylacetones are a group of organic compounds containing a phenyl moiety and an acetone moiety bonded together, the archetypal example being phenylacetone.

Phenylacetones often play a role in the illicit synthesis of amphetamine and its analogues, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (MDP2P) for example being used in the production of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) , 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) , 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) and other homologues.

Because of their use in illicit drug synthesis, some Phenylacetones are controlled or regulated in many parts of the world.^{[citation needed]}