Nature-inspired indolyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene derivatives as promising agents for the attenuation of withdrawal symptoms: synthesis of 20-desethyl-20-hydroxymethyl-11-demethoxyibogaine.
Natural product research July 10, 2006 D Passarella, A Barilli, S M N Efange et al. 4 citations
A microwave-assisted chemical reaction was used to create a key intermediate for synthesizing ibogaine analogues. One analogue, a hydroxymethyl indolyl derivative, showed promising binding to dopamine, serotonin, and opioid receptors in lab tests and reduced withdrawal symptoms in mice. Simplifying the ibogaine molecule appears to be a useful strategy for designing new compounds to treat addiction withdrawal.