Am.  Jour.  Pliarm.  \ 
April,  1881.  J 
Alkaloids  of  Quebracho  Bark. 
169 
much  greater  tendency  to  enter  into  reaction  than  the  other  bases,  and 
that  therefore  two  molecules  of  the  same  combine  to  form  the  diapo- 
base:  Ci9H2.,N20=C\9H22N20. 
Although  the  facts  here  presented  may  permit  of  a  little  insight 
into  the  constitution  of  quinia,  cinclionia,  and  their  isomers,  yet  we  are 
still  far  removed  from  the  position  of  determining  the  perfect  struc- 
ture of  the  bodies  in  question.  That  this  latter  aim  will  be  attained 
the  author  has  not  the  least  doubt,  but  he  does  not  believe  that  the 
formation  from  their  parts,  e.  g.,  from  chinolin  or  pyridin,  as  now 
maintained  by  many,  will  be  successful. 
Alkaloids  of  ftuebracho  Bark. — O  Hesse  has  satisfied  himself 
that  Wulfberg's  assertion  concerning  the  identity  of  Fraude's  aspi- 
dospermina  with  Hesse's  paytina  is  incorrect.  Hesse  has  also  isolated 
a  second  alkaloid,  quebraGhiiia,  which  has  the  composition  C2iH2gN203, 
crystallizes  in  small,  white,  anhydrous  prisms,  melts  at  about  215°C. 
(uncorr.),  undergoing  partial  decomposition,  dissolves  readily  in  hot, 
slightly  in  cold  alcohol,  and  is  sparingly  soluble  in  ether.  Its  solution 
in  pure  sulphuric  acid  has  a  bluish  color,  becoming  darker  in  a  few 
hours,  and  in  the  presence  of  lead  peroxide  is  of  a  magnificent  blue. 
A  similar  blue  color  is  produced  by  sulphuric  acid  in  the  presence  of 
molybdic  acid  or  of  potassium  bichromate.  Boiled  with  perchloric 
acid  solution  a  yellow-colored  liquid  is  obtained.  Though  these  reac- 
tions are  similar  to  those  of  strvchnia  and  curarina,  Dr.  Petzoldt 
found  it  to  differ  from  them  in  its  action  upon  frogs;  however,  0*04 
gram  was  sufficient  to  kill  a  small  rabbit. 
Quebrachina  is  a  strong  base.  Its  sulphate,  (G2^H2gN203)2.H2S04  + 
8H2O,  forms  colorless  short  quadrangular  prisms,  which  are  freely 
soluble  in  alcohol  and  water.  The  hydrochlorate  is  in  similar  crystals, 
very  s})aringly  soluble  in  cold,  but  readily  so  in  hot  water.  The  salts 
with  other  acids  are  likewise  crystallizable  and  mostly  sparingly  sol- 
uble in  water. 
Of  quebrachina  0.28  per  cent,  was  obtained;  of  aspidospermina 
only  0*17  per  cent.  The  new  alkaloid,  and  three  other  alkaloids 
observed  in  quebraclio  bark,  will  be  further  investigated  by  the  author. 
— Reprint  from  Ber.  der.  C/iem.  Ges.,  1880,  p.  2308.  . 
