An ergot alkaloid from the mycelia of Claviceps purpurea, the base yields colourless prisms when crystallized from Me2CO or MeOH. It is dextrorotatory having [α]20D + 165° (c 0.3, EtOH) or + 174° (c 1.0, CHCI3)' The ultraviolet spectrum in EtOH exhibits two absorption maxima at 243 and 313 mJ.1. The alkaloid forms crystalline salts with mineral acids, e.g. the hydrochloride, m.p. > 300°C and the nitrate, m.p. > 300°C;[α]20D + 190° (c 0.5,50% aqueous EtOH). The nitrogen atoms are present as an imino and a methylimino group.
Hofmann et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 40, 1358 (1957)
