Cassytha alkaloids. IV. The alkaloids of Cassytha racemosa Nees (family Lauraceae)

Abstract

Two new alkaloids from Cassytha racemosa Nees, family Lauraceae, have been shown to be 1,2-dimethoxy-9,10-methylenedioxynoraporphine (nornantenine) and 1,2-dimethoxy-9,10-methylenedioxy-7- oxodibenzo[de,g]quinoline. The structure of the first alkaloid follows from the formation of nantenine on N-methylation, and of the second from its preparation by the oxidation of nantenine. The previously known alkaloids nantenine, isoboldine, laurotetanine, N- methyllaurotetanine, and (+)-coclaurine have also been isolated, and thin-layer chromatograms indicate the probable presence of laurelliptine as a minor alkaloid.