This is my first post here. But I've been following this procedure a little and am quite pleased to see this dug up from possible permanent deletion. The journal ref. for KrZ's method is as follows:
Journal of Medical Chemistry, 1994, vol. 37, No. 19 pg.3029
"Gen. for the preparation of n,n-dimethyltryptamines"
To a cooled (-2 C) and stirred sol. of (substituted amine)(7.0mmol), NaCNBH3(14.0mmol), and GAA(35.0mmol) in MeOH was added dropwise, over 17min., a sol. of CH2O(38% w/v aq. sol.) in MeOH. After 20min. of stirring at 0Celsius and 2.5hrs. at roon temp., sat. aq. k2co3 was added and the MeOH was removed under vac.. The residue was diluted w/ H2O and the product was extracted with EtOAc twice, washed with salt sol. twice, dried, and concentrated. Yield of sub. trypt= 83%.
It is ironic that this is actually quite similar to a DMT proposed synth. back at DMT world that was also "lost and forgotten" (ref. Tet. Letters 3, 261. 1973 B.L. Sondengam e. a.) with the only major difference being the catalyst NaBH4 vs. the more selective NaCNBH3. I recall it actually being discarded, without much trial, as producing quarternary tryptamines (betacarbolines) rather than the desired n,n-dimethyl because of a cerntian mechanism in the reaction (Pickett-Spengler?).
However, to my knowledge when our revolutionary bee KrZ first posted the procedure of this thread's topic, Rhodium somewhat concluded that the combo of a gentler catalyst AND the use ose GAA to regulate the pH of the reaction that quarternary product formation would be reduced and/or eliminated!! WOW!
I feel that if KrZ's method is what it seems to be, that this could be potentially the most accessible hypothetical route to DMT thus present so far. Sodium Cyano, albeit be no means OTC, is less hazadous than LAH or Red Al (not to mention its varied applications in other realms)... and everthing else in the process's 2nd half (from T to DMT) CAN be had in some relative OTC form, save Ethyl Acetate. I've always dreamed of open the Pandora's box of dimethyltryptamine accessability via revolutionary synthesis, and I have to be cautious in my enthusiasm so as to remain rational and wary of hard evidence.
Which brings me to this... as of now, KrZ is the only bee who has dreamt this, and ultimately the test will be our own dreaming. Let's not let this one lie in the limbo of misinformation, speculation, and the nebula of abstact debate.