(2R,5R,12bS)-3-ethyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-5-ium-9-ol

BeschreibungA quaternary alkaloid which has been isolated from Ochrosia sandwicensis A. Gray. Several crystalline salts are known including the chloride which may be crystallized from H20 or MeOH-C6H6 with m.p. 261-2°C (dec.) (Kofler block) or 288-9°C (dec.) in an evacuated capillary. The salt has [α]23 D85.3° (c 2.0, MeOH) and gives an ultraviolet spectrum in methanol with an absorption maximum at 299 mp and shoulders at 267 and 309 mp. The bromide and perchlorate form colourless rosettes of crystals with m.p. 274-5°C (dec.) and 250- 1°C (dec.) respectively. The iodide yields tan-coloured crystals with m.p. 259- 260°C (dec.), all of these melting points being in the Kofler block. The structure has been confirmed by synthesis of the chloride.