Helvetica Chimica Acta
January 1, 1959
A. Hofmann, Richard R. Heim, A. Brack et al.
225 citations
The psychotropically active compounds of the Mexican hallucinogenic fungus Psilocybe mexicana were isolated and crystallized. Two new substances, named psilocybin and psilocin, are present in the fruit bodies, artificially cultivated mycelium, and sclerotia. The dried mushroom contains 0.2 to 0.4 percent psilocybin; psilocin is present at most in trace amounts only.
Helvetica Chimica Acta
January 1, 1959
F. Troxler, Frauke Seemann, A. Hofmann
69 citations
Modifications to the molecular structure of the natural psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin were systematically explored to clarify how structure relates to psychotropic activity. The synthesis and properties of several derivatives are described, including position isomers with a phosphoryloxy or hydroxy group at positions 5, 6, or 7, the four isomeric hydroxygramines, and psilocin variants altered at the ω-nitrogen, indole nitrogen, or side-chain (e.g., additional methylene, methyl substitution, or hydroxylation). Also reported are phosphoric acid esters of some derivatives, esters with organic carbonic and sulfonic acids, methylcarbaminic and sulfuric acid esters, and position isomers with the dimethylaminoethyl side-chain at position 1 or 2.
Helvetica Chimica Acta
January 1, 1964
A. Brossi, F. Schenker, W. Leimgruber
32 citations
The four known cactus alkaloids—anhalamine, anhalidine, anhalonidine, and pellotine—were synthesized from mescaline using new, straightforward chemical procedures. The work presents simple synthetic routes to these alkaloids, which are naturally occurring compounds found in cacti.