Hydrochloric Acid → D-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydronorharman-3-carboxylic acid

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Reaction Steps

20.0 g D-tryptophan is suspended in 40 ml of water and 7.83 g 50%(w/w) sodium hydroxide solution is added and this mixture is stirred to give a clear solution. 7.95 g 37% formaldehyde is added and this mixture is stirred for 2 hours at room temperature, then refluxed for 3 hours. The hot solution is poured into 200 ml water and, with vigorous stirring, the pH is adjust to 5 with 6N hydrochloric acid, giving a precipitate. The slurry is stirred for 18 hours, filtered, and the solid dried at 70° C./0.1 mm Hg overnight to give 18.5 g (3R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid.

Provenance & Evidence