PTOMAINES 273 



a compound ot the formula I. could be formed by the inter- 

 action of these two substances according to the equation 



NH 2 . CH . CH 2 * CH 2 . CHNH, . COOH + CH O = 

 CH 2 .CHOHv 



>NCH, + NH, + CO, 

 CH 2 CH 2 X 



This compound would yield the alkaloid hygrine (IV.) 

 by condensation with acetone dicarboxylic acid and subse- 

 quent elimination of carbon dioxide : 



NCH 3 COOH 



/\ I 



CH 2 CHOH + CH 2 . CO . CH 2 . COOH -> 



CH 2 CH 2 

 II. 



NCH 3 COOH 



/\ I 



CH 2 CH . CH . CO . CH 2 . COOH + H 2 O -> 



CH 2 CH 2 

 III. 



NCH 3 



2 

 CH CH 



2 

 IV. 



Compound III. may also be the progenitor of nicotine by 

 further condensation with formaldehyde and ammonia. Simi- 

 larly, by the application of simple reactions, e.g. aldol con- 

 densations, oxidation, or dehydration Robinson is able to 

 account for the formation of such complex alkaloids as the 

 pelletierines, sparteine, and the opium alkaloids belonging to 

 the piperidine, quinuclidene and isoquinoline groups respec- 

 tively. 



PTOMAINES. 



Associated with the simplest form of plant life, namely, 

 bacteria, a number of different basic substances are found, 

 some of very simple constitution, such as methylamine, 



18 



