The leaves of Pleiocarpa pycnantha (K. Schum) Stapf. var. tubicina (Stapf.)
Pichon contain this alkaloid which crystallizes as colourless prisms from either
aqueous Me2CO or Et2O-pentane. It has[α]23D- 67° (c 0.61, CHCI3 ) and gives
an ultraviolet spectrum having absorption maxima at 207,244 and 298 Mu.
The N-formyl derivative yields long, transparent prisms, m.p. l48-9°C. The
above structure has been confirmed by the synthesis of the optically inactive
base.
Kump et aI., Helv. Chim. Acta, 47, 1497 (1964)
Synthesis:
Dadson, Harley-Mason, Foster., Chem. Commun., 1233 (1968)
