The Alkaloids of Picrasma javanica

Abstract

Extraction of Picrasma javanica B1. (Simarubaceae) has yielded two new P- carboline alkaloids,1-ethenyl-4-methoxy-9 H- pyrido-[3,4-blindol-5-ol (5-hydroxydehydrocrenatine) (4) and l-ethyl-4-methoxy-9H-pyrido[3,4-blindol-5-ol (5-hydroxycrenatine) (5), the structures of which follow from their spectroscopic properties. In addition, the known alkaloids crenatine (2) and dehydrocrenatine (1) were isolated. Attempts to synthesize 1-ethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-9-methyl-9 Hpyrido [3,4-blindole(6) are described.