This bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid is found in the benzene-soluble portion of
the total alkaloids extracted from Magnolia fuscata. When recrystallized from
C6H6 it yields fine, colourless needles, soluble in alkalies, CHC13 and EtOH. It is
dextrorotatory with [α]D + 111.6° and yields a crystalline picrate, m.p. 142-
SoC (dec.); a picrolonate, m.p. 163-4°C and a tetramethyl ether, m.p. lSI-2°C.
The latter may be oxidized by KMn04 in Me2CO to give 1-keto-6:7-dimethoxy-
2-methyltetrahydroisoquinoline, m.p. 124-5°C and magnolaminic acid,
C16H1407, m.p. 280-loC. The alkaloid acts as a cardiac depressant at between
10 to 500 parts per million.
Proskurnina, Orekhov., Bull. Soc. Chim., 5, 1357 (1938)
Proskurnina., J. Gen. Chem. USSR., 16, 129 (1946)
Tomita.,J. Pharm. Soc., Japan, 1075 (1951)
Tomita, Kugo., Chem. Abstr., SO, 1056 (1956)
Pharmacology:
Buchi., Schweiz. Apoth. Zeit., 83, 198 (1945)
