This amorphous alkaloid was first isolated from Uncaria kawakamii, subsequently
being found in other Uncaria species and also in Ourouparia formosan a Matsumara.
The base is dextrorotatory having [α]D + 106.5° and gives a hydrochloride
hemihydrate as colourless needles, m.p. 231°C (dec.) and the N-acetyl derivative,
m.p. 165°C. The stereochemistry of this alkaloid has been revised comparatively
recently.
Raymond-Hamet., Compt. rend., 203, 1383 (1936)
Kondo, Ikeda.,]. Pharm. Soc., Japan, 61,416,453 (1941)
Kondo, Ikeda., ibid, 62, 15 (1942)
Raymond-Hamet., Compt. rend., 230, 1405 (1950)
Kondo, Nozoye, Tobita., Chern. Abstr., 49, 15921 (1955)
Raymond-Hamet., Compt. rend., 245, 1458 (1957)
Hendrickson., J. Amer. Chern. Soc., 84,650 (1962)
Revised stereochemistry:
Shamma et ai., J. Amer. Chern. Soc., 89, 1739 (1967)
Beecham et ai., Chern. Commun., 535 (1967)
