What household chemical is used to form crack cocaine from cocaine in illicit processing?

• A. Baking soda
• B. Vinegar
• C. Salt
• D. Sugar

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that crack cocaine is made by turning cocaine hydrochloride (the salt form you often encounter) into a freebase form that can be smoked. This requires a base to neutralize the hydrochloride. Baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate, acts as a mild base that does just that. When combined with the salt in water and heated, the base neutralizes the acid and allows freebase cocaine to separate out as a solid. Freebase is less soluble in water and more volatile, making it suitable for smoking. Baking soda is common, inexpensive, and readily available, which is why it’s the household chemical commonly referenced in illicit processing. Vinegar is acidic and would not promote the formation of freebase; salt is already the salt form and would need a base to convert; sugar doesn’t have the chemical properties to effect this conversion.