Laurepukine

BeschreibungThe alkaloid originally isolated under this name by Aston proved to be a mixture of laureline and pukateine and the name was then given to a third alkaloid occurring in the bark of Laurelia Novae-Zelandae. The base crystallizes in colOUrless needles or hexagonal tablets and is laevorotatory with [α]D - 222° (CHCl 3 ). The sulphate hexahydrate, m.p. 99-l00°C is almost completely insoluble in H20; the methiodide has m.p. 249-250°C and the O,G-dimethyl ether forms colourless prisms, m.p. l34°C, b.p. 200-2l0°C/l0 mm; [α]D - 314° (CHC13). The probable structure, given above, has been deduced by comparison with other, similar alkaloids although the alternative structure 3 :4-dihydroxy- 6:7-methylenedioxyaporphine, is not completely excluded.