OCOTEINE (Thalicmine)

Description

The bark of Ocotea puberula Nees contains this aporphine alkaloid which also occurs in Tha{ictrum minus L. It is best crystallized from 50% aqueous EtOH when it forms colourless needles. The specific rotation is [α]_{D + 26.7° (c 0.69, pyridine) or + 33.3° (c 1.02, CHCI3). The alkaloid forms crystalline salts and derivatives, e.g. the hydrochloride, m.p. 268-270°C; [α] ³² D+ 24.3° (c 0.22, 50% EtOH); the hydriodide, m.p. 198-200°C (slow heating) or 21 0-2°C (rapid heating); [α] ²⁸ D + 22° (c 0.215,50% EtOH) and the methiodide, m.p. 222-4°C slow heating) or 237-8°C (rapid heating); [α] ¹⁶ D + 24.3° (c 0.174, EtOH).}

References

Yunusov, Progressov., J. aUg. Chem., 22, 1047(1952)
Iacobucci., Ann. Asoc. Z. Arg., 42,18 (1954)
Vernengo et al., Annalen, 610, 173 (1957)
Vernengo., Experientia, 19,294 (1963)