The alkaloids of Crotalaria retusa L

Abstract

In addition to monocrotaline, retronecine N-oxide and three new alkaloids, retusine, retusamine, and an incompletely characterized base, m.p. 130-132°C, have been isolated from Crotalaria retusa L. The proportion of alkaloid occurring as N-oxide varied from 2 to 70 per cent. in different plant specimens. Hxdrolysis of retusine gives 2,3,4- trimethyl-4-hydroxyglutaric acid 1,4-lactone (dihydroanhydromonocrotalic acid) and an amino alcohol, C₈H₁₅O₂N, probably hastanecine.