This alkaloid is the first isoquinolone-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to be discovered
and occurs in the basic extract from Berberis baluchistanica. It forms colourless
crystals when purified by recrystallization from cyc1ohexane-C6H6 and gives an
ultraviolet spectrum in EtOH with absorption maxima at 282, 294 and 305 nm,
showing a bathochromic shift in acid and alkali due to the presence of a phenolic
hydroxyl group in the molecule. Diazomethane in Et20 furnishes the O-methyl
ether, m.p. lOS-8°C having an ultraviolet spectrum in EtOH with absorption
maxima at 226, 262 and 270 nm and shoulders at 283, 292 and 305 nm.
Baluchistanamine itself may be obtained by oxidation of oxyacanthine with
dilute potassium permanganate in Me2CO and the methyl ether is also formed
by the same method from obaberine. Since both of these latter bases are also
present in B. baluchistanica it suggests that baluchistanamine is produced
biogenetically by oxidation of oxyacanthine.
참고 문헌
Shamma, Foy, Miana, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 96, 7809 (1974)
