Observations concerning the synthesis of tryptamine homologues and branched tryptamine derivatives via the borrowing hydrogen process: synthesis of psilocin, bufotenin, and serotonin

Observations concerning the synthesis of substituted tryptamine derivatives starting from indoles and 1,n-amino alcohols via the borrowing hydrogen process are discussed. This catalytic, single-step, and modular approach to tryptamines and homotryptamines allows the synthesis of branched and non branched tryptamines as well as tryptamine-based natural products such as psilocin, bufotenin, and serotonin. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.