What Ritalin looks like at the
molecular level:
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Chemical Name:

Methylphenidate
Chemical Formula: C14H19NO2
Mol Wt: 233.31 g
Percent Composition by Mass: C (72.07%), H (8.21%), N (6.00%), O (13.72%)
Percent Composition by Number: C (38.89%), H (52.78%), N (2.78%), O (5.56%)
Density in natural state: unknown
Boiling Point: 135-137° C
Melting Point of Ritalin HCl crystals: 224-226° C
Type of Bonding: Covalent bonds between all of the atoms. There are four double bonds. Three are between carbons. One is between one carbon and one oxygen.
 Solubility:
Methylphenidate is soluble in alcohol, ethyl acetate, and ether. It is barely soluble in water or petroleum ether.
Methylphenidate hydrochloride is soluble in water, alcohol, and methanol. It is semi-soluble in chloroform.

pH:
A 5% aqueous solution of Ritalin hydrochloride is neutral to the litmus paper test. A stronger solution is acid to the litmus paper test.