284 



Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XIII, 



methyl iodide in alkaline solution the phenolic hydroxyl is 

 first of all methylated, and then a molecule of methyl-iodide 

 adds itself to the nitrogen atom. The position of the nitrogen 

 atom in the molecule has been the subject of much discussion, 



CH 



CH 



CH 



CH 

 CH 



CH 



Phenanthrene 



and when this will be fixed with certainty, the morphine prob- 

 lem will probably be finally solved. From time to time vari- 

 ous formulae have been suggested for this substance. Knorr 

 regarded the nitrogen atom as forming part of an oxazine 

 group, attached to the phenanthrene nucleus. 



^\ C ,4 H ,0 



NCH 3 . 



Knorr's formula. 



This view has now been abandoned, and the general opinion 

 w m favour of the structure formulated bv Pschorr, who regards 



His formula is as follows : 



pyrid 



ring 



HC 



(OH)C 



CH 



CH. 

 » 



CH N(CH ^ 





CH(OH). 



Pschorr'a formula. (Morphine) 



