Lyserg Saure Diathylamid

Alkaloids are always compounds isolated from nature. However, there are many examples of alkaloid derivatives with a high profile which may be confused and sometimes classified as alkaloids. For example, Lyserg Saure Diathylamid (LSD) (LSD-25) is prepared by the amidation of lysergic acid, itself derived from the ergot alkaloids. Methamphetamine is prepared by the reduction of (-)-ephedrine, and heroin is prepared by the acetylation of morphine, and there are many derivatives of alkaloids which are pharmaceutical products. These semisynthetic compounds can be classed as alkaloid derivatives. 

As described in the introductory chapter, methamphetamine and related compounds are known as antihypnotics derived from ephedrine. (+)-Methamphetamine is obtained by reducing (-)-ephedrine or (+)-pseudoephed-rine. As well as morphine and heroin (Section 1.10), Lyserg Saure Diathylamid (LSD) (Section 2.16), and cocaine (Section 3.3), methamphetamine and related alkaloids are causing a variety of social problems in Japan and many other countries at the present time. 

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