Molecular Structure of LSD
Roy W. Baker, Cyrus Chothia, Peter Pauling, Hans Peter Weber
Science November 10, 1972 DOI: 10.1126/science.178.4061.614 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) adopts a strained, sterically hindered, and fixed conformation in its crystalline iodobenzoate form, as determined by x-ray diffraction. This rigid molecular geometry may influence the compound's hallucinogenic activity.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Crystallographic study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Steric effects Hallucinogen Stereochemistry Crystallography |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key finding | LSD's molecular configuration in crystals of the iodobenzoate shows strain, steric hindrance, and a fixed conformation. |
Abstract
The molecular configuration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in crystals of the iodobenzoate has been determined by using x-ray diffraction techniques. The configuration shows strain and steric hindrance and the conformation is fixed. Some of the implications of this for the hallucinogenic activity of LSD are discussed.