(2S,3S)-2,3-Dihydroxy-2-isopropylbutanoic acid [(1R,7aα)-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl ester

A pyrrolizidine alkaloid, this base occurs in Cynoglossum viridif/orum and on crystallization from Me2CO furnishes colourless prisms. It is only sparingly soluble in Et20 but readily so in hot Me2CO, EtOH and H20. The methiodide has been prepared as colourless crystals from aqueous MeOH, m.p. 142-4°C. Alkaline hydrolysis yields trachelanthamidine and viridifloric acid. The structure given above is the most probable based upon its chemical reactions and spectroscopic characteristics.

Men'shikov., J. Gen. Chern., USSR, 18, 1736 (1948)