Pseudoaconitine

BeschreibungAn aconitine alkaloid obtained from A coniturn chasrnanthurn Stapf. by Dunstan and Andrews, the base crystallizes from EtOH as hexagonal prisms or rosettes of fine needles. It has [α]20Do + IS.3° (EtOH) and gives a series of crystalline salts, e.g. the hydrobromide as hexagonal prisms from H20, m.p. lS3-7°C; [edo - 17.3° or as crystals from EtOH or Et 20, m.p. 217 -SoC and the aurichloride, yellow needles, m.p. 147 -152°C with sintering at 142°C. Indaconitine resembles Aconitine (q. v.) in giving a crystalline precipitate with KMn04 but in this case the crystals are markedly smaller. Four methoxyl groups are present and when the SUlphate is heated in aqueous solution in a sealed tube it furnishes acetic acid and benzoylpseudaconine (Indbenzaconine), as a colourless glass, m.p. 130-3°C; [α]D + 33.6° (EtOH), also giving crystalline salts: hydrochloride, m.p. 242-4°C; [α]D - S.Oo (H 20); hydrobromide as the dihydrate, m.p. 247°C (dry) and the aurichloride, rosettes of orange needles, m.p. 180-2°C. Alkaline hydrolysis gives acetic and benzoic acids and pseudaconine, C2sH4108N. On pyrolysis, the alkaloid loses one mole of acetic acid with the formation of a-pyroindaconitine which is amorphous, m.p. 130-2°C; [α]D + 91.9° (EtOH), giving a crystalline hydro bromide, m.p. 194-SoC. When inda_x0002_conitine hydrochloride is subjected to the same treatment it yields the isomeric ~-pyroindaconitine, also amorphous, but furnishing a crystalline hydrobromide, m.p. 24S-250°C; [α]D + 27.6°.

Verwenden8-Acetyl ludaconitine occurs in the tubers of Indianaconite (bish or Aconitum ferox), found inIndia and Nepal. It is used in arrow poisoningfor hunting. Clinically, it is used in treatingrheumatism.