kopsine

Description

The major constituent of Kopsia !ruticosa, this base has [α]_D - 17.5° (c 2.15, CHC13). It forms a series of crystalline salts and derivatives, e.g. the aurichloride, m.p. 203-5°C (dec.); perchlorate, m.p. 284°C (dec.); picrate, m.p. 230°C (dec.) and methiodide, m.p. 200°C (dec.). It may be reduced to the dihydro derivative which has m.p. 218°C. When fused with NaOH the alkaloid furnishes 2- methylindole and 2-indole-2-carboxylic acid.

References

Bhattacharya et al., 1. Amer. Chem. Soc., 71,3370 (1949)
Spiteller et al., Naturwiss., 49, 279 (1962)
Govindachari et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 45, 1146 (1962)
Govindachari et al., ibid, 46, 433, 572 (1963)
Battersby, Gregory.,J. Chern. Soc., 22 (1963)