Improvements to the Synthesis of Psilocybin and a Facile Method for Preparing the O-Acetyl Prodrug of Psilocin
Synthesis June 1, 1999 David E. Nichols 68 citations
An improved chemical procedure for synthesizing psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is reported. The method uses the O-lithium salt of psilocin reacting with tetra-O-benzylpyrophosphate, followed by catalytic hydrogenation to remove benzyl groups. Because psilocybin preparation is difficult, the authors suggest 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine as a useful alternative for pharmacological studies. This alternative is obtained by catalytic O-debenzylation of 4-benzyloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the presence of acetic anhydride and sodium acetate.