Description
A further alkaloid present in Adhatoda vasica and Peganum harmala, this base
forms colourless crystals from 95 per cent EtOH. It has [α]
22D - 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)
