One of the strychnine type alkaloids, this base has been isolated from Strychnos
nux-vomica and forms colourless prisms from AcOEt. It has [α] 20
D - 17.7°
(c 5.0, CHC13). The salts and derivatives are well crystalline and include the
hydrochloride, colourless prismatic needles, m.p. 229-230°C; hydriodide, m.p.
224-6°C; perchlorate, m.p. 2l0-5°C; picrate, m.p. 250°C (dec.); hydrogen
tartrate, m.p. 235°C (dec.) and the hydrogen oxalate, m.p. 246°C (dec.). From
chemical and spectroscopic analysis, the structure shown above, N-methyl-sec_x0002_pseudobrucine, has been established.
Leuchs, Tessmar., Ber., 72,965 (1939)
Leuchs, Boit., ibid, 73, 885 (1940)
Martin et ai., J. Chern. Soc., 3603 (1952)
