From the patent:
My novel process conveniently can be considered as a two step process comprising first the formation of a mixed anhydride of lysergic and sulfuric acids, and second the formation of the desired lysergic acid amide by reacting the mixed anhydride with a nitrogenous base.
The amide of lysergic acid is prepared from the mixed anhydride by reacting the latter compound with a nitrogenous base containing at least one active hydrogen attatched to the nitrogen. The reaction is rapid, completed within a few minutes. Whe less basic amines are employed, it is desirable to allow a reaction period of up to 20 minutes.
For the prep. of the mixed anhydride, lysergic acid or a basic, ie, metallic or metalloid salt thereof, can be employed. For this synth the term 'lysergic acid' includes the isomers of lysergic acid, d-lysergic acid, l-lysergic acid, d-isolysergic acid, and l-isolysergic acid. Also included are acids closely related to lysergic acid, ex.: 5,6-dihydrolysergic acid and is acyl derivitives and 10,11-dihydroisolysergic acid. They lysergic acid compound can be anhydrous or hydrated.
Also,
ideas for aquisition of the neccessary sulfur trioxide,
examples and elaborations of the methods expounded above.