[Fry]

Is it possible to remove water from an alkaloid hydrate upon dissolution of the compound in a suitable organic solvent followed by addition of MgSO₄? Or are alkaloid hydrates stable complexes?


Im wondering because I want to know if a hydrate with both an amino group and a carboxylic acid group can be exposed to thionyl chloride without forming nasty HCl gas.

[CopperSmurf]

Adding MgSO₄ should be able to remove the hydrate without problems. Make sure it's anhydrous MgSO₄  .
Thionyl chloride will turn your carboxylic acid group into an acyl chloride (very reactive) and I think you will likely form some HCl gas along the way.