(7R)-6,7,7aβ,8-Tetrahydro-7-methyl-5H-benzo[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo[6,5,4-de]quinolin-12-ol 7-oxide

The alkaloid originally isolated under this name by Aston proved to be a mixture of laureline and pukateine and the name was then given to a third alkaloid occurring in the bark of Laurelia Novae-Zelandae. The base crystallizes in colOUrless needles or hexagonal tablets and is laevorotatory with [α]_D - 222° (CHCl 3 ). The sulphate hexahydrate, m.p. 99-l00°C is almost completely insoluble in H20; the methiodide has m.p. 249-250°C and the O,G-dimethyl ether forms colourless prisms, m.p. l34°C, b.p. 200-2l0°C/l0 mm; [α]_D - 314° (CHC13). The probable structure, given above, has been deduced by comparison with other, similar alkaloids although the alternative structure 3 :4-dihydroxy- 6:7-methylenedioxyaporphine, is not completely excluded.

Aston.,J. Chem. Soc., 97, 1381 (1910)
Barger, Girardet., Helv. Chim. Acta., 14, 481 (1931)
Girardet., ibid, 14, 504 (1931)
Govindachari et al., Chem. Ber., 91, 36 (1958)