Description
This alkaloid was first described by Boorsma who obtained it from the bark of
Lunasia costulata Miq (Syn. L. amara Blanco). The base is a quinolone derivative
and crystallizes as colourless needles from AcOEt. It is dextrorotatory having
[α]24D + 30.1 ° and [α]24436 + 81.8°. Boorsma gives a specific rotation of [α]28D +
31.6°. The solutions of the alkaloid show a weak blue fluorescence in artificial
light. A crystalline perchlorate is known, m.p. 146-8°C and 193-5°C after
intermediate solidification. This salt is also dextrorotatory with [α]2558925436+ 60.7°. The structure has been demonstrated to be 3-(2-hydroxy-3-
methylbutyl)-4: 8-dimethoxy-l-methyl-2-quinolone. The alkaloid described
under this name by Dieterle and Beyl appears to be identical with lunamarine
(q.v.).
References
Boorsma., Meded. Lands. Plant., 31, 13, 126 (1899)
Boorsma.,Bull. Inst. Bot. Buit., No. 31, 8, 25 (1904)
Dieterle, Beyl., Arch. Pharm., 275, 174 (1937)
Steldt, Chen.,J. Amer. Pharm. Assoc., 32, 107 (1943)
Goodwin, Horning.,J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 81, 1908 (1959)
Clarke, Grundon., Chem. & Ind., 556 (1962)
Clarke, Grundon.,J. Chem. Soc., 438 (1964)
