PROTOVERATRINE A

A further alkaloid isolated from Veratrum album, this base yields colourless crystals from EtOH. It is laevorotatory with [α]²⁷_D - 44.1° (pyridine) or - 12.1° (CHC13). Like the preceding base, it dissolves in H2S04 to give a blue colour. The complex with maleic acid has been prepared as colourless crystals, m.p. 241.5°C; [α]²⁰_D - 37.6°. On alkaline hydrolysis, the alkaloid furnishes protoverine, two moles of acetic acid, one mole of (-)-methylbutyric acid and one mole of (+)-2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid.