9-Methoxyellipticine → 9-Hydroxyellipticine

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of one part by weight 9-methoxy-ellipticine obtained by extraction from "yellowwood" (Ochrosia maculata) from the island of Reunion, and from 3 to 11 parts by weight of pyridine hydrochloride were heated with gentle reflux for 30 to 90 minutes. The reaction mass became a dark brown colour; it was then poured over crushed ice, the precipitate formed was centrifuged and washed several times with iced water and then recrystallized in methanol. The crystals obtained were orange coloured.

Provenance & Evidence