Pure Ergotamin from a Raw Extract

The separation of the two isomers can be carried out e.g. by chromatographic adsorption. The mixture is dissolved in a little chloroform which contains 0.5% of alcohol the solution poured on to a column of aluminium oxide of 4 cm. diameter and 60 cm. length and the chromatogram is produced with the same solvent. Dark impurities soon pass into the filtrate. Then follows a broad zone appearing blue in ultra-violet light which contains the diethylamide of d-lysergic acid. Yield 1.0 to 1.3 grams. 

The diethylamide of d-isolysergic aid passes though as a much more slowly moving zone. The residue of the chloroform solution thereof amounting to 0.8 to 1.2 grams, crystallises on taking up in acetone in beautiful prisms of m.p. 182° C (corr.) with decomposition and consists of the pure diethylamide of d-isolysergic acid [a] D20 = -i-217° (c=0.4 in pyridine). 

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