Frankforter : the alkaloids of veratrum. 1035 



The Iodides of Veratrine. 



As stated by Ahrens 22 veratrine absorbs bromine readily, 

 forming a tetrabromide 



C32 H 40 N0 9 Br 4 

 It was prepared by triturating veratrine with strong bromine 

 water, when a yellow powder was formed which was purified 

 by filtering and washing with warm water. It proved to be 

 insoluble in water but readily soluble in alcohol, ether, chloro- 

 form and acetone. 



On treating the tetrabromide with dilute potassium hydroxide, 

 two bromine atoms were readily removed forming a light 

 yellow dibromide 



C 32 H 49 N0 9 Br 2 . 



Reference is also made to an iodide of veratrine 23 which was 

 prepared by the action of iodine on a salt of veratrine. The 

 formula given was 



C 32 H 54 N 2 O s HI 3) 

 Veratrine ietraiodide, C& H^, NO9 I\ + 3Ho 0. 



A careful examination showed that iodine also combined 

 readily with veratrine forming a series of compounds which in 

 many respects resembled the bromides. By triturating vera- 

 trine with a strong alcoholic solution of iodine, a reddish brown 

 substance was formed which upon examination appeared to be 

 a mixture of several substances. This was also indicated by 

 the varying melting point. A great excess of iodine was then 

 added and the substance allowed to stand for several days 

 when a beautiful light red crystalline substance was formed 

 with a melting point of 129°-130°. It is very soluble in 

 methyl and ethyl alcohol forming upon evaporation a dark 

 brown waxy mass. It is soluble in acetone, forming a wax 

 which upon standing becomes a dark red powder. It is insol- 

 uble in ether, benzole and water. By treating with sulphurous 

 acid, the red color disappeared and a light yellow powder is 

 formed which was afterward identified as the monoiodide. 

 With dilute ammonia the same substance is formed but, with 

 concentrated ammonia, a white, gelatinous substance is formed 

 with some of the properties of the free base. An examination 

 showed it to be different from the free alkaloid, although all of 

 the iodine had been removed. 



Great difficulty was experienced in the determination of water 

 of crystallization. It was found after several determinations, 



(231 Ber. 23: 2700. 



(22) Arch. Pliarm [III], 5: 28J. 



