This alkaloid has been isolated from Rauwolfia serpentina Benth and forms yellow plates from MeOH or EtOH. The earlier formula of C20H2003N2 has recently been altered to that given above. The hydrochloride hydrate has m.p. l33-5°C or 248-260°C (dry);[α]40D + 188° (H20); nitrate, m.p. 172°C; nitrite, m.p. l65-6°C (dec.); perchlorate, m.p. 256°C; picrate, m.p. 26l-2°C and methiodide, 245-6°C. The base also yields a monobromo-hydrobromide, m.p. 257-8°C (dec.). On heating to 210°C it isomerizes to isoserpentine, colourless prismatic rods, m.p. 230-2°C yielding a hydrochloride, m.p. 271-2°C; [α]34D+ 168.08° (H20) and the picrate, m.p. 263-4°C.
serpentine: Any of a group of hydrousmagnesium silicate mineralswith the general compositionMg3Si2O5(OH)4. Serpentine is monoclinicand occurs in two main forms:chrysotile, which is fibrous and thechief source of asbestos; and antigorite,which occurs as platy masses. Itis generally green or white with amottled appearance, sometimes resemblinga snakeskin – hence thename. It is formed through the metamorphicalteration of ultrabasicrocks rich in olivine, pyroxene, andamphibole. Serpentinite is a rockconsisting mainly of serpentine; it isused as an ornamental stone.
Serpentine is a mineral consisting of magnesium silicate.
With a green and white color and a mottled appearance,
this mineral looks like a snake's skin.
Serpentine has a general composition of
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4.
Siddiqui, Siddiqui., J. Ind. Chem. Soc., 8,667 (1931)
Siddiqui, Siddiqui., ibid, 9, 539 (1932)
Siddiqui, Siddiqui., ibid, 12, 37 (1935)
