From a hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus spectabilis, two compounds were isolated and characterized: cerevisterol and a new acetylenic compound, 4,6-decadiyne-1,3,8-triol. Also found were ergosterol, ergosteryl peroxide, and choline. Psilocybin and related psychoactive compounds were not detected in these collections, although psilocybin has been found in other Japanese mushrooms.
A convenient one-step procedure synthesizes 1-aryl-2-nitro-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)propenes by reacting 1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-(2-nitroethyl)benzene with aromatic or heterocyclic aldehydes. These compounds can be reduced to yield new mescaline derivatives. As an example, 1-(3-indolyl)-2-amino-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)propane, which combines structural features of both mescaline and tryptamine, was prepared.