Tetrahydrofuran → N-Propionylserotonin

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of serotonin hydrochloride (10 g, 47.5 mmol.) in water (50 mL) were added, under argon atmosphere, tetrahydrofuran (20 mL) and a solution of sodium carbonate (5.3 g) in water (20 mL). The mixture was cooled to 0° C., to which was added propionic anhydride (6.2 g, 49.9 mmol.). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The extract solution was washed with 1N HCl, a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate and water, which was dried and then concentrated to afford the title compound (yield 10.0 g, 98.0%) as an oily product. This compound was used, without refining further, for the subsequent reaction.

Provenance & Evidence