Tryptophol

Tryptophol
Chemical structure of tryptophol
Ball-and-stick model of the tryptophol molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethan-1-ol
Other names
Indole-3-ethanol
3-Indole ethyl alcohol
(Indol-3-yl)ethanol
IEt
2-Indolyl(3)-ethanol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.632 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H11NO/c12-6-5-8-7-11-10-4-2-1-3-9(8)10/h1-4,7,11-12H,5-6H2
    Key: MBBOMCVGYCRMEA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=CN2)CCO
Properties
C10H11NO
Molar mass 161.204 g·mol−1
Melting point 59 °C (138 °F; 332 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
UV visible spectrum of tryptophol.

Tryptophol is an aromatic alcohol that induces sleep in humans. It is found in wine as a secondary product of ethanol fermentation. It was first described by Felix Ehrlich in 1912. It is also produced by the trypanosomal parasite in sleeping sickness.

It forms in the liver as a side-effect of disulfiram treatment.[1]

  1. ^ Cornford EM, Bocash WD, Braun LD, Crane PD, Oldendorf WH, MacInnis AJ (1979). "Rapid distribution of tryptophol (3-indole ethanol) to the brain and other tissues". Journal of Clinical Investigation. 63 (6): 1241–1248. doi:10.1172/JCI109419. PMC 372073. PMID 447842.