Preparation of Ergonovine

of d-lysergic acid monohydrate and 1.05 g. of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are dissolved in 100 mL. of methanol. The methanol solution is evaporated to a sjmip in vacuo, and to the syrup are added 500 mL. of anhydrous dimethylformamide. The solution is concentrated in vacuo at a temperature of about 50° 

to a volume of about 150 mL. to distill off methanol and water. The remaining solution of the lithium salt of (/-lysergic acid is cooled to about 10° 

and 74.5 mL. of a 0.67 molar solution of sulfur trioxide-dimethyl-formamide complex in dimethylformamide are added. The mixture is stirred thoroughly and is allowed to stand for about five minutes to assure the complete formation of the mixed anhydride of lysergic and sulfuric acids. To the solution are then added 

From the filtrate, ergonovinine, the amide of the isomeric isolysergic acid, is recovered as follows  

The filtrate is evaporated to a sjmip and to the syrup are added about 200 mL. of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. Sufficient aqueous ammonium hydroxide is added to make the solution slightly basic and the basic solution is extracted several times with 100 mL. portions of ethylene dichloride. The ethylene dichloride extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo yielding a residue comprising ergonovinine. 

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