@nen- you may be on to something there, from my understanding its the double bonded carbon of an aldehyde that creates the cyclization. It looks as though acetic acid has that quality, much like formaldehyde which has been used as the reactant in the Pictet–Spengler.

I too would like to know if this is indeed breaking forum rules. I think this is important information with relation to the beta-carbolines and if they are by products of extraction procedures and analysis methods. Specifically in regards to 2MeTHBC and 6MeOTHBC which could be cyclized from their respective tryptamine compounds and used as standards.

I feel that this could further some of the research that is going on. It would be nice to have a forum to discuss this without having to discuss it at some other forum.

-D.