The structure of ervinceine
UV spectrum: Xma x (ethanol) 248, 328 m/l (log ~ 4.12, 4.26), which is characteristic for a -methylene indol ine alkaloids. The NMR spectrum of ervinceine with signals at 8 8, 88 (NH, singlet), 6 .14-6 .91 (aromatic protons, 3H), [ 3.69 (singlet, COOCHs), 3.66 (singlet, OCHs), and 0.58 (triplet, --C--C~Hs). I The reduction of ervinceine with zinc in methanoiic sulfuric acid gave dihydroervinceine, C2zHz0NzOz, mp 118:119" C (methanol), [a]~3 +3.3 (c 0.9; chloroform). Its IR spectrum; Xrnax (ethanol) 249, 305 mg (log ~ 3.78, 3.73) is characteristic of ind0tine bases. Its mass spectrum has the molecular peak M + 370 (16%) and also peaks of ions with m/e 339 (M--OCH~) + I0%, 2~4 (M--86) + 26% and 124 (I00%).
A study of the alkaloids ofSenecia krylovii
hydrated silica in the system mentioned above. Substance A gave a single spot on chromatography in a thin layer of KSK silica gel and hydrated silica in neutral, acid, and alkaline systems: chloroform--methanol--water (62 : 31 : 7), 1-butanol--acetic acid--water (4 : 1 : 2); and n-propanol-17% ammonia (8 : 2). The Rf values of substance A, its melting poiat (about 250* C), the melting point of the acetate (160-163" C), and the IR spectrum were identical with the same figures for samples of Primula saponin given to us by N. I. Libizov (VILR [All-Union Scientific-Research Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants]).
ISOLATION AND STRUCTURE OF A NEW ALKALOID: ASPIDOCARPINE
From the root bark of Aspidospermmegalocarpon Muell. Arg. a new alkaloid, aspidocarpine, has been isolated. It has the empirical formula C22H30O3N2 and contains an N-acetyl, one methoxyl group, and one active hydrogen. The alkaloid, a phenolic monoacidic tertiary base, has been shown by its properties, those of its derivatives, and the spectroscopic data, to contain an N-acetyl-6-methoxy-7-hydroxydihydroindole moiety. Oxidation of aspidocarpine with chromic acid gave rise to a product identical in all respects with apoaspidospermine obtained from the similar oxidation of aspidospermine. Since the structure of aspidospermine is known, the foregoing results establish the structure of the alkaloid aspidocarpine.