Description
The major constituent of Kopsia !ruticosa, this base has [α]
D - 17.5° (c 2.15,
CHC13). It forms a series of crystalline salts and derivatives, e.g. the aurichloride,
m.p. 203-5°C (dec.); perchlorate, m.p. 284°C (dec.); picrate, m.p. 230°C (dec.)
and methiodide, m.p. 200°C (dec.). It may be reduced to the dihydro derivative
which has m.p. 218°C. When fused with NaOH the alkaloid furnishes 2-
methylindole and 2-indole-2-carboxylic acid.
References
Bhattacharya et al., 1. Amer. Chem. Soc., 71,3370 (1949)
Spiteller et al., Naturwiss., 49, 279 (1962)
Govindachari et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 45, 1146 (1962)
Govindachari et al., ibid, 46, 433, 572 (1963)
Battersby, Gregory.,J. Chern. Soc., 22 (1963)
