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 illict synthesis of amphetamine and its analogues, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (MDP2P) for example being used in the production of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) [http://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal100.shtml] , 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) [http://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal109.shtml] ,
3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) [http://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal106.shtml] and other homologues.

Because of their use in illict drug synthesis, some Phenylacetones are controlled or regulated in many parts of the world.