In
chemistry
Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...
, a precursor is a
compound that participates in a
chemical reaction that produces another compound.
In
biochemistry, the term "precursor" often refers more specifically to a chemical compound preceding another in a
metabolic pathway, such as a
protein precursor.
Illicit drug precursors
In 1988, the
United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances introduced detailed provisions and requirements relating the control of precursors used to produce drugs of abuse.
In Europe the Regulation (EC) No. 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors was adopted on 11 February 2004. (
European law on drug precursors European law on illicit drug precursors:Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on drug precursors(contains list of substances)Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 laying down ...
)
Illicit explosives precursors
On January 15, 2013, the Regulation (EU) No. 98/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the marketing and use of explosives precursors was adopted.
The Regulation harmonises rules across Europe on the making available, introduction, possession and use, of certain substances or mixtures that could be misused for the illicit manufacture of explosives.
Detection
A portable, advanced sensor based on
infrared spectroscopy in a hollow fiber matched to a silicon-micromachined fast gas chromatography column can analyze illegal stimulants and precursors with nanogram-level sensitivity.
Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy () (named after Indian physicist C. V. Raman) is a spectroscopic technique typically used to determine vibrational modes of molecules, although rotational and other low-frequency modes of systems may also be observed. Raman sp ...
has been successfully tested to detect explosives and their precursors.
Technologies able to detect precursors in the environment could contribute to an early location of sites where illegal substances (both explosives and drugs of abuse) are produced.
See also
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Binary chemical weapon
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Binary chemical weapons or munitions are chemical weapons which contain the toxic agent in its active state as chemical precursors that are significantly less toxic than the agent. This improves the safety of storing, transporting, and di ...
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Chemical synthesis
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DEA list of chemicals
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Derivative (chemistry)
In chemistry, a derivative is a compound that is derived from a similar compound by a chemical reaction.
In the past, derivative also meant a compound that ''can be imagined to'' arise from another compound, if one atom or group of atoms is repla ...
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Educt, a
reagent
In chemistry, a reagent ( ) or analytical reagent is a substance or compound added to a system to cause a chemical reaction, or test if one occurs. The terms ''reactant'' and ''reagent'' are often used interchangeably, but reactant specifies a ...
or reactant
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Metabolism#Anabolism
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Monoamine precursor
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Prodrug
A prodrug is a medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be used to improve how the drug ...
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Protein precursor
References
Chemical synthesis
Metabolism
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