A constituent of Taxus baccata, this alkaloid is amorphous and has [α]20D + 119°
(CHC13). The hydrochloride is also amorphous with no definite melting point.
The nitrate, however, can be crystallized from Et20-isopropanol, m.p. 190°C.
The base yields a diacetyl derivative which, although amorphous when obtained
from aqueous solution, m.p. 92°C, forms colourless crystals from EtOH, m.p.
161.5°C. This latter base has [α]20Do + 106.7° (c 2.0, CHC1 3) and gives a crystalline
hydrochloride from EtOH containing solvent of crystallization, m.p. 168-l70°C;
nitrate as colourless needles or plates from EtOH, m.p. 141.5°C and the
methiodide, m.p. 197°C. The structure of the alkaloid is that of Taxine I (q.v.)
minus two acetyl groups.
Harrison, Scrowston, Lythgoe., 1. Chern. Soc., C, 1933 (1966)
