486-64-6

A further alkaloid present in Adhatoda vasica and Peganum harmala, this base forms colourless crystals from 95 per cent EtOH. It has [α]²²_D - 100° (c 0.5, CHCL3) and the ultraviolet spectrum has absorption maxima at 227, 272, 302 and 315 mfJ.. The alkaloid yields a series of crystalline salts with mineral acids, e.g. the hydrochloride, m.p. 232-4°C; hydro bromide, m.p. 254-5°C (dec.); hydriodide, m.p. 222-6°C (dec.); nitrate, m.p. 138-9° C (dec.) and the sulphate, m.p. l82-5°C (dec.). The optically inactive form of the base has been prepared synthetically, m.p. 211- 2°C. The alkaloid is an active bronchodilator.

ChEBI: Vasicinone is a member of quinazolines.

P450 (e.g. CYP17)

Ghose et al., J. Chem. Soc., 2740 (1932)
Morris, Horford, Adams., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 57,951 (1935)
Mehta, Naravane, Desai., J. Org. Chem., 28, 445 (1963)