Posted by pinksharkmark (64.32.126.220) on September 20, 2001 at 23:52:12:
In Reply to: No posted by Flash on September 20, 2001 at 20:27:45:
Actually, ergotamine is a less complex structure than either LSD or LSA. If anything it is more correct to say that ergotamine is the nucleus of LSD than the other way around, although neither statement is technically correct to an organic chemist. It is true, however, that both methysergide and ergotamine can be used as "precursor" compounds in the synthesis of LSD.
Yes, LSA does have an indole ring structure, as does LSD. However, both molecules are considerably more complex than the other indole-based hallucinogens such as psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, nor-baeocystin, bufotenine, mescaline, DMT, et al, so it is a little harder to pick out the indole skeleton. It is there, though.
pinky