VASICINONE

Description

A further alkaloid present in Adhatoda vasica and Peganum harmala, this base forms colourless crystals from 95 per cent EtOH. It has [α]²²_D - 100° (c 0.5, CHCL3) and the ultraviolet spectrum has absorption maxima at 227, 272, 302 and 315 mfJ.. The alkaloid yields a series of crystalline salts with mineral acids, e.g. the hydrochloride, m.p. 232-4°C; hydro bromide, m.p. 254-5°C (dec.); hydriodide, m.p. 222-6°C (dec.); nitrate, m.p. 138-9° C (dec.) and the sulphate, m.p. l82-5°C (dec.). The optically inactive form of the base has been prepared synthetically, m.p. 211- 2°C. The alkaloid is an active bronchodilator.

Definition

ChEBI: Vasicinone is a member of quinazolines.

References

Ghose et al., J. Chem. Soc., 2740 (1932)
Morris, Horford, Adams., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 57,951 (1935)
Mehta, Naravane, Desai., J. Org. Chem., 28, 445 (1963)