Isopropanol → 5-Bromo-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 5-bromo-N,N-dimethyl-α-oxo-1H-indole-3-acetamide (from step (a), 19.85 g, 67.3 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added dropwise to a slurry of lithium aluminium hydride (7.66 g, 0.2 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere, maintaining the temperature below 5° C. The yellow green slurry was then warmed to ambient temperature and then brought to gentle reflux. Reflux was maintained for 5 hr after which time the reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and isopropyl alcohol (150 ml) and IMS (150 ml) were added sequentially. The grey slurry was then warmed to ambient temperature, before 1N NaOH (100 ml) was added. The reaction mixture was then filtered through a celite (trade mark) pad and the pad washed consecutively with demineralised water (100 ml) and IMS (100 ml). The filtrate was then concentrated under reduced pressure until all alcohol had been removed and then the aqueous residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 ml). The combined organic extracts were then evaporated in vacuo to give a brown oil. This was triturated with a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate (1:1) (30 ml) to give the subtitle compound (13.4 g, 75%) as a cream solid. m.p. 82-85° C.

Provenance & Evidence