Swim was wondering if this would be a viable 5-MeO-DiPT synthesis:
Reaction 1: To a shallow-bottomed pyrex reaction vessel (Capacity ~750mL) 30 mg Melatonin was dissolved in a basic (pH~13) solution of Isopropyl alcohol and refluxed over a waterbath for six hours.* The solution was then acidified with 33% HCl to a neutral pH.
Reaction 2: In a large (~2000mL) aluminum reaction vessel 1g of Red Phosphorous and 3g I2 were added to 1000mL isopropyl alcohol and the solution was refluxed for ten minutes. The solution obtained from reaction 1 was then added to this solution and the new solution was refluxed for 14 hours. The solution was then basified, and ether was used to extract the 5-MeO-DiPT. HCl(g) was then bubbled through the solution to yield the acid salt.
Does this sound viable?
* This excludes the sodium dithionite that Rhodium suggests using; however, I fail to see how this is necessary.
Sources:
http://www.chem.uni.edu/~macmilla/mcmurry/mcmurry_chapter_21b/sld017.htm (http://www.chem.uni.edu/~macmilla/mcmurry/mcmurry_chapter_21b/sld017.htm)
(as well as other textbook sources and lecture notes)
Vogel, Arthur Elementary practical organic chemistry Part 1: Small scale preparations Second edition. Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd 1966.