Description
The bark of Strychnos toxifera yields three closely-related quaternary alkaloids,
Macusines A, Band C. This particular base has been isolated as the crystalline
chloride which forms clusters of prisms from EhOH-Et20, m.p. 252°C after
sintering at 248°C; [α]
25D - 57.5° (c 1.455, H20). The alkaloid also forms the
iodide, best crystallized from aqueous MeOH, m.p. 274°C (dec.) and the picrate,
m.p. 255°C (dec.). The l6-epimer of this base is Macusine C.
References
Battersby et al., 1. Chern. Soc., 1848 (1960)
McPhail et al., Proc. Chern. Soc., 223 (1961)
McPhail, Robertson, Sim.,J. Chern. Soc., 1832 (1963)
Battersby, Yeowell., ibid, 4419 (1964)
