Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that serves as an agonist of the 5-HT1A receptor and has been shown to modulate mood, appetite and sleep. Constant activation of this receptor has led to increased neurite growth and prolonged neuron survival. Although serotonin has demonstrated a modest effect on neuronal survival, relatively few studies have been conducted on serotonin derivatives. The primary objective of this investigation is to synthesize serotonin via a novel 6 step route using relatively mild reagents. Several derivatives will also be synthesized to create a Structure-Activity Relationship Study to determine the functional group binding specificity and its ability to activate the 5-HT<sub>1A</sub> receptors. These derivatives may prove useful in combatting neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and depression.

Novel synthesis of serotonin using relatively mild reagents

255th National Meeting (2018)

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