psychotrine

BeschreibungOne of the alkaloids from the bark of Cephaelis Ipecacuanha (Brot.) A. Rich, this base is best crystallized from aqueous solvents when it forms colourless prisms of the tetrahydrate which show a pale blue fluorescence. The alkaloid is sparingly soluble in H20, Et20 or C6H6 but dissolves freely in CHCI3, EtOH or Me2CO. The hydriodide forms microscopic yellow needles from dilute HI, m.p. 200-222°C; the nitrate has m.p. 184-7°C; the sulphate trillydrate forms pale yellow scales, m.p. 214-7°C; [α]D + 39.2° (H20); the acid oxalate, colourless needles which soften at 130°C and melt up to 14SoC, and the dibenzoyl derivative which is an amorphous powder, m.p. 132-SoC after sintering at 120°C. Three methoxyl groups, an ethyl group and a phenolic hydroxyl group are present. The methyl ether yields colourless prisms from Et20, m.p. 123-4°C;[α]D + 43.2° (EtOH) and furnishes a hydrobromide, m.p. 190-200°C; [α]D + 48° (H20); a sulphate heptahydrate, m.p. 247°C and a picrate, softening at 142°C and melting up to 175°C. The alkaloid gives a red-brown colour with FeCl3 turning to a bluish-black, while with sulphomolybdic acid it gives a green colour. It couples with p-nitrodiazobenzene giving an alkali-soluble purple dye.