A morphine type alkaloid isolated from Sinomenium acutum Rehd. and Wils, the base is laevorotatory with[α]16D - 112° (EtOH) or - 81.60 (CHCI3). It yields a series of crystalline salts and derivatives including the perchlorate, m.p. 117°C;
tartrate, m.p. 203-4°C; picrate, m.p. 222°C (dec.); oxime, m.p. 223°C and the
methiodide, m.p. 216°C. The alkaloid also forms the O-acetate, m.p. 175°C;
[α]D - 125° (EtOH) with AC20 in pyridine, indicative of a phenolic hydroxyl
group. On hydrogenation it forms tetrahydrosinoacutinol, C19H2704N, m.p.
216°C. The O-methyl ether yields a crystalline methiodide which contains
Me2CO when obtained from this solvent, m.p. 163-6°C. According to Johns and
his co-workers, the alkaloid is also present in Cassytha pubescens R. Br.
