This aporphine alkaloid occurs in Stephania capilin Spreng and also S. japonica.
It is laevorotatory with [α]12D - 91.Sl ° (CHC13). The earlier formula of
C3sH3906N2 has recently been reduced to that given above. The hydrochloride
crystallizes as the monohydrate, m.p. 280°C (dec.); the methiodide has 2ll-SoC.
One methoxyl group, a methylenedioxy group and a methylimino group are
present. The (±)-form has been prepared synthetically and has m.p. l3l-3°C. It forms colourless needles from C6H6 and yields a hydrochloride, m.p. 269-270°C (dec.);
a platinichloride hexahydrate as yellow needles, m.p. 220-2°C and the
methiodide, m.p. 221- 2°C (dec.).
