(1179 ) 
coloured salt the amine was then again liberated, combined with 
hydrochloric acid and converted into the platinum chloride compound, 
which was analysed. 
Found 36.8°/, Pt, the calculated percentage for [(CH)‚N. HCI, PtCl, 
being 36.94. The amine found is, therefore, trimethylamine. 
The substance distilled over with the water, had a strong faecal 
odour and melted at 52°. It contains nitrogen. 
Analysis: Found: C 82.2 H6.24 N 11.72. 
Calculated for C,H,N : C 82.-, H 6.04, N 11.96. 
With s. trinitrobenzene it yields an additive compound m. p. 187° 
erystallising in golder vellow needles; it proved to be identical with 
a product formed from indol and s. trinitrobenzene *). 
During the action of potassium hydroxide indol as well as trimethy|- 
amine has, therefore, been formed. 
The behaviour of hypaphorine towards nitric acid pointed to its being 
a urea derivative, but this view could now no longer be entertained. 
- Experiments, intended to elucidate the structure, carried out in my 
laboratory by Mr. Hortapren and consisting in the oxidation of 
hypaphorine with potassium permanganate and sulphuric acid, or 
with hydrogen peroxide in either neutral or alkaline solution led to 
no result except that the formation of trimethylamine could be 
demonstrated. Heating with hydrochloric acid, which caused charring, 
did not yield the desired result either. Oxidation experiments with 
ferric chloride are still in progress. 
From the decomposition with potassium hydroxide in which indol 
and trimethylamine were obtained and which had rendered it 
probable that hypaphorine is a betaine, one feels inclined to look 
upon it as being derived from an amino acid belonging to the indol 
series and having the formula C,,H,,N.O,. 
Among the acids which satisfy that condition we tind mentioned 
in Ricuter’s Lexikon (Suppl. II) tryptophane to which belongs, 
according to ELLINGER’s ®) synthesis, the structural formula: 
CH 
cH7 \Cc——c—CH, -CH—-COOH 
| NH, 
| 
aN Ì | 
A 70H 
CH NH 
Through the great kindness of our fellow member Prof. PEKELHARING, 
to whom | feel very grateful for this, 1 had come into possession 
DR. 14, 66 (1895). 
2) B. 40, 3029 [1907]. 
