The structure of jacozine, an alkaloid of Senecio jacobaea L

Abstract

The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of jacozine indicates that this base has structure (V) and is thus derived from seneciphylline (IV) by epoxidation at the ethylidene double bond. This structure was confirmed by conversion of jacozine into seneciphylline by reaction with potassium selenocyanate. The same reagent converts jacobine into senecionine.