TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 341 
nitro- group a stereoisomeric &-gnoscopine is obtained, and this is convertible to 
a-gnoscopine by prolonged heating with aqueous alcohol. By similar methods a 
stereoisomeride of hydrastine has been synthesised. These condensations also 
open up a method of synthesis of phenanthrene alkaloids (morphine group), and 
OMe 
OMe OMe 
OMe 
O CHOH OMe \co 
aa Nl 
CH, NMe Ne CH—O 
Bs O * CH, co OMe a 
cay ee ON te 
(I 2 NMe 
(11) Not id 
CH 
(III) 
it is along these lines that further work is being prosecuted. Up to the present 
an isomeride of apomorphine dimethyl ether is the only example of the applica- 
tion of the process. It is probable that the mechanism of the pseudo- base 
condensation involves the stages 
OH R R 
| | | 
/o HOH N— — —CH = N—+ HR + —CH = N— -> —CH—NMe— 
Me Me Me 
a view which receives support from the remarkable rapidity of the reactions and 
from the observation that they occur with greatest readiness in ionising solvents. 
It is also considered extremely probable that such condensations have an 
important réle in the synthesis of alkaloids in plants. 
3. The Condensation of Cotarnine and Hydraslinine with Aromatic 
Aldehydes. By Mrs. G. M. Ropinson, M.Sc. 
The condensation of hydrastinine with o-nitrobenzaldehydes takes place in 
accordance with the following scheme, which represents the condensation of 
hydrastinine with nitroveratraldehyde :— 
OMe 
OMe 
0,N 
| 
co 
| 
() CHOH ra) CHS. 
Bee. OR EA 
CH a OMe CH, NMe 
2 a 
SS CH, a CH, 
7 0.N OMe O*% % : 
of cHy/ cHY/ 
1t is hoped that this substance will form a suitable starting-point for a 
synthesis of dicentrine. On reduction by stannous chloride these bases yield 
amino ketones, which can then be further reduced to fully saturated bases by 
means of amalgamated zinc and hydrochloric acid. Several bases similar to the 
above have been prepared. 
