A major alkaloid of the seeds of Lunaria biennis Mnch. and also found in L.
rediviva, this alkaloid crystallizes as colourless needles from aqueous Me2CO. It
is dextrorotatory with [α]27D + 300° (CHCI3) and forms crystalline salts including the hydrochloride, m.p. above 340°C; hydrobromide, m.p. 280-340°C,
aurichloride, m.p. 166-170°C (dec.) and the sulphate, m.p. above 340°C.
Steinegger, Reichstein., Pharrn. Acta Helv., 22, 258 (1947)
Boit., Chern. Ber., 87,1082 (1954)
Janot, LeMen., Bull. Soc. Chirn. Fr., 1840 (1956)
Poiter et al., ibid, 456 (1959)
Bladonetal., Tetrahedron Lett., No.9, 18(1959)
Poiter et al., Tetrahedron Lett., No. 18,36 (1960)
Huneck., Naturwiss., 49, 233 (1962)
Poiter et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 293 (1963)
Crystal structure:
Tamura et al., Chern. Cornrnun., 485 (1965)
