Synthesis and Characterization of 5-MeO-DMT Succinate for Clinical Use

Abstract

To support clinical use, a multigram-scale process has been developed to provide 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic natural product found in the parotid gland secretions of the toad, <i>Incilius alvarius</i>. Several synthetic routes were initially explored, and the selected process featured an optimized Fischer indole reaction to 5-MeO-DMT freebase in high-yield, from which the 1:1 succinate salt was produced to provide 136 g of crystalline active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with 99.86% peak area by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a net yield of 49%. The report provides in-process monitoring, validated analytical methods, impurity formation and removal, and solid-state characterization of the API essential for subsequent clinical development.