Psilocybin: crystal structure solutions enable phase analysis of prior art and recently patented examples
Acta Crystallographica Section C Structural Chemistry December 20, 2021 Alexander M. Sherwood, Robert B. Kargbo, Kristi W. Kaylo et al. 10 citations
Psilocybin, a natural product from psychoactive fungi, exists in three distinct crystal forms: Hydrate A, Polymorph A, and Polymorph B. This article presents newly solved crystal structures for the two anhydrate forms using X-ray diffraction and computational methods. Analysis of psilocybin samples produced between 1963 and 2021 shows that all contain one or more of these three forms, with no additional forms needed to explain their diffraction patterns. The composition correlates with process methods, sample age, and storage conditions. The authors also identify that a recently granted patent incorrectly described a mixture of about 81% Polymorph A and 19% Polymorph B as a single-phase variant, recommending revision of such characterizations.