[Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. I. Synthesis of N-cyclopropyltryptamines]

The synthesis of two new N-cyclopropyltryptamines is described. By treating 5,6-dimethoxyindole with oxalyl chloride and N-benzylcyclopropylamine, N-benzyl-N-cyclopropyl-5,6-dimethoxyindole-3-glyoxalamide is obtained. The reduction of this compound by LiAlH4, gives N-benzyl-N-cyclopropyl-5,6-dimethoxytryptamine, which is hydrogenated to N-cyclopropyl-5,6-dimethoxytryptamine. Similarly N-cyclopropyl-6,7-dimethoxytryptamine is prepared. Preliminary results indicate a different specificity of the inhibitors used on mitochondrial and bovine plasma enzyme (monoamine oxidase) attributable to the position of the methoxy groups.