What is 1V-LSD? Research Guide to Valerie
1V-LSD (1-Valeroyl-lysergic acid diethylamide), nicknamed 'Valerie' in research communities, is currently the most widely used lysergamide research compound in the EU. It belongs to the N1-acyl LSD analog class — compounds where a different acyl group is attached at the N1 position of the ergoline ring system.
Chemical Structure
IUPAC name: (6aR,9R)-N,N-diethyl-7-(pentanoyl)-4,6,6a,7,8,9-hexahydroindolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide
Molecular formula: C₂₂H₃₁N₃O₂
Molecular weight: 373.5 g/mol
CAS: 2349368-18-7
The valeroyl (pentanoyl) group at N1 distinguishes 1V-LSD from other acyl analogs: 1P-LSD has a propionyl (3C) group, 1B-LSD has a butanoyl (4C), and 1V-LSD a valeroyl (5C). This progressive lengthening of the acyl chain affects hydrolysis kinetics, lipophilicity, and brain penetration rate.
Mechanism of Action
1V-LSD acts as a partial agonist at 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, the primary target responsible for the pharmacological profile of the lysergamide class. It also shows affinity for 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, dopamine D1/D2, and adrenergic receptors — a binding profile consistent with the ergoline pharmacophore. The N1-valeroyl group is hydrolyzed by plasma and tissue amidases to yield LSD as the primary active metabolite, though the acylated parent compound may itself have intrinsic activity.
1V-LSD vs 1P-LSD vs 1cP-LSD
| Compound | N1 Group | Chain Length | MW | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1V-LSD | Valeroyl | C5 | 373.5 | Legal EU |
| 1P-LSD | Propionyl | C3 | 349.5 | Varies by country |
| 1cP-LSD | Cyclopropionyl | C3 ring | 361.5 | Legal EU |
| 1D-LSD | Dimethyl-allyl | C5 | 383.5 | Legal EU |
Research Applications
- →5-HT2A receptor pharmacology: 1V-LSD is used in radioligand competition binding assays and functional assays (β-arrestin recruitment, calcium flux) as a reference agonist.
- →Comparative lysergamide SAR: The systematic variation in N1 acyl chain length across 1P-, 1B-, 1V-, and 1D-LSD enables controlled SAR studies on how chain length affects pharmacokinetics and receptor binding.
- →Metabolite characterization: LC-MS/MS studies of 1V-LSD hydrolysis kinetics and metabolite profiles contribute to understanding lysergamide biotransformation pathways.
- →Forensic method development: HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS reference standards for biological matrix testing.