This carboline type alkaloid is a minor constituent of Rauwolfia vomitoria and crystallizes as colourless prisms from MeOH. It is laevorotatory with [α]20D - 72° (c 0.5, pyridine). The ultraviolet spectrum shows two absorption maxima at 230 and 285 mμ. The structure has been determined from chemical and spectroscopic analysis.
Hofmann, Frey., Helv. Chim. Acta, 40, 1866 (1957)
Taylor, Frey, Hofmann., ibid, 45, 611 (1962)
