One of the numerous alkaloids isolated from Vinca species, this base occurs in V. rosea L. and forms colourless crystals from MeOH. It is laevorotatory with[α]26D - 58° (MeOH) and when crystallized from Me2CO forms crystals containing solvent of crystallization, m.p. 181°C. The ultraviolet spectrum in MeOH has absorption maxima at 226, 282 and 290 mf.1. The alkaloid contains a primary alcoholic group and an imino group and yields the hemisulphate, m.p. 239- 241°C (dec.); the picrate, m.p. 226-8°C (dec.) and the O-acetate, m.p. 198°C;[α]26D- 26° (MeOH).
Svoboda et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 50,409 (1961)
Kutney, Brown., Tetrahedron Lett., 1815 (1963)
