A hallucinogenic (psychedelic)
agent that may catalyze the onset of emotional problems
or psychosis in predisposed individuals. DMT is perhaps
one of the least studied of the hallucinogens. It causes perceptual
alterations and illusions, including changes in touch, taste,
and odor. The thinking process is substantially altered; there
are hallucinations and loss of contact with reality. There have
been no overdose deaths attributed to the direct effects of
DMT. The drug is very short-acting, with a duration of effect
of about half an hour or less.
4,4'-Dimethoxytrityl chloride is used as a protective reagent for oligonucleotide synthesis. It is used for selective protection and deprotection procedures for thiol and hydroxy groups in nucleoside derivatives.
Purification Methods
DMT crystallises from cyclohexane/acetyl chloride as the hydrochloride. Dry it over KOH pellets in a desiccator. When dissolved in *C6H6 and air is blown through, HCl is removed. It crystallises from Et2O. [Baeyer & Villiger Chem Ber 36 2788 1903, Smith et al. J Am Chem Soc 84 430 1962, Smith et al. J Am Chem Soc 85 3821 1963.] Ifit has hydrolysed considerably (see OH in IR), then repeat the crystallisation from cyclohexane/acetyl chloride — excess of AcCl is removed in a vacuum over KOH, then recrystallise it from Et2O. [Beilstein 6 IV 1042.]
