Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-31-2009
Abstract
In this experiment, tryptamine is used as a psilocin analog and is dispersed onto a Fisher brand cellulose laboratory sponge to simulate dehydrated mushrooms. The resulting “mushroom” material is ground, molded into chocolate, and presented to student groups for real-world and applied analyses. Students isolate the tryptamine from the chocolate using their knowledge of drug chemistry, solubility, pH, extractions, etc. Qualitative analysis is conducted by comparison to standards (Thin Layer Chromatography or Gas Chromatography) and quantitative analysis is conducted by Gas Chromatography using the method of internal standards.
Journal Title
The Chemical Educator
Journal ISSN
1430-4171
Volume
16
Issue
6
First Page
236
Last Page
238