Which listed precursor involves Lithium with Anhydrous Ammonia?

Which listed precursor involves Lithium with Anhydrous Ammonia?

• A. Iodine + ephedrine or pseudoephedrine or red phosphorus
• B. Anhydrous Ammonia
• C. Lithium + Anhydrous Ammonia
• D. Piperidine w/ Cyclohexanone

Answer: (C)

This item tests knowledge of illicit precursor methods and which combination uses lithium in liquid ammonia. The lithium-in-ammonia system is a Birch-type reduction used to convert ephedrine or pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine, with lithium acting as the reducing agent and the anhydrous ammonia solvent enabling the reaction. Because the question asks for the precursor involving lithium with anhydrous ammonia, the correct choice is the one that explicitly pairs lithium with anhydrous ammonia. The other methods involve different reagents or conditions (for example, red phosphorus with iodine, or a route using piperidine with cyclohexanone) and do not involve lithium in ammonia.

This item tests knowledge of illicit precursor methods and which combination uses lithium in liquid ammonia. The lithium-in-ammonia system is a Birch-type reduction used to convert ephedrine or pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine, with lithium acting as the reducing agent and the anhydrous ammonia solvent enabling the reaction. Because the question asks for the precursor involving lithium with anhydrous ammonia, the correct choice is the one that explicitly pairs lithium with anhydrous ammonia. The other methods involve different reagents or conditions (for example, red phosphorus with iodine, or a route using piperidine with cyclohexanone) and do not involve lithium in ammonia.