Endogenous Alkaloids in Man. 28. (1R,3S)-1-Trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxamide Methanol Solvate, a Potential Synthetic Precursor to Enantiomerically Pure TaClo

The title compound, C₁₃H₁₂Cl₃N₃O.CH₃OH, was prepared by amidolysis of the corresponding methyl tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylate, obtained in turn by condensation of tryptophan methyl ester and chloral. The crystal structure confirms the relative cis-array of the substituents at C1 and C3, and thus the absolute R configuration at C1.