SENKIRKIN

A further hepatotoxiC alkaloid present in Senecio kirkii Hook, S. renardi and Nardosrnia laevigata. The base has [α]²⁵_D - 16° (c 1.89, MeOH) or[α]¹⁵_D - 6.2° (c 1.91, CHCI₃). It forms colourless plates when crystallized from either Me₂CO or AcOEt and yields a picrate, m.p. 225.5-226°C and a picrolonate, m.p. 109- 110°C. The ultraviolet spectrum shows a single absorption maximum at 219 mp.. Several crystalline salts and derivatives are known, e.g. the aurichloride, m.p. 182.5-183.5°C; platinichloride, m.p. 196-7°C (dec.); bitartrate, m.p. 201°C; reineckate, m.p. 169-171°C; picrate, m.p. 225- 225.5°C; picrolonate, m.p. 138°C and the methiodide, m.p. 194-6°C (dec.). The O-acetate occurs naturally (q.v.) in Senecio kirkii.

ChEBI: Senkirkine is a macrolide.

Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Questionable carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic data. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Nox

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