Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  1 
March,  1886.  / 
Cupreine  and  Homoquinine. 
133 
addition  of  chlorine  and  ammonia.  The  solution  in  excess  of  dilute 
sulphuric  acid  shows  no  fluorescence;  with  ammonia  it  gives  a  floccu- 
lent  precipitate  that  is  sensibly  soluble  in  excess  of  ammonia  and 
readily  dissolved  by  caustic  soda.  The  alkaloid  can  be  axtractecl  from 
the  ammonia  solution  by  ether,  bat  not  from  the  soda  solution,  pro- 
vided there  is  some  excess  of  soda  present.  After  adding  to  such  a 
solution  sufficient  ammonium  chloride  to  convert  the  caustic  soda  into 
chloride  the  alkaloid  can  be  dissolved  out  by  ether. 
Cupreine  is  lsevorotatory ;  it  is  a  strong  base,  neutralizes  acids  per- 
fectly, forming  salts,  having  a  neutral  reaction,  that  dissolve  in  hot 
water  with  a  yellow  coloration.  The  acid  salts  give  colorless  solutions. 
The  following  salts  have  been  examined  and  described  by  Dr.  Hesse: 
Cupreine  Sulphate  (C19H22X202)2H2S04+6H20  crystallizes  in  minute 
white  needles,  very  difficultly  soluble  in  cold  water,  and  insoluble  in  a 
saturated  solution  of  sodium  sulphate. 
The  acid  sulphate,  C19H22X202,H2S04-f-H20,  crystallizes  in  prisms 
with  numerous  faces;  it  is  sparingly  soluble  in  cold  water,  readily 
soluble  in  hot  water. 
Cupreine  Hydrochlorate  (C19H22N202,HCl-f  H20)  crystallizes  in 
small  needles,  moderately  soluble  in  cold  water,  less  readily  in  sodium 
chloride.  The  solution  acquires  an  intense  dark-brown  color  when 
mixed  with  ferric  chloride. 
The  acid  salt  C19H22N202(HC1)2  forms  anhydrous  prisms  of  a  yel- 
lowish color,  moderately  soluble  in  cold  water  and  sparingly  soluble 
in  hydrochloric  acid. 
Cupreine  Tartrate  (C19H22^202)2C4H6064-H20  forms  delicate  white 
needles,  very  sparingly  soluble  in  cold  water.  The  crystals  effloresce 
in  dry  air. 
Cupreine  Sulphoeyanate. — A  hot  solution  of  the  neutral  hydrochlo- 
rate becomes  turbid  when  mixed  with  a  moderately  dilute  solution  of 
potassium  sulphoeyanide,  and  gradually  concentric  groups  of  acicular 
crystals  are  separated  as  the  turbidity  disappears.  The  salt  is  very 
sparingly  soluble  in  solution  of  potassium  sulphoeyanide,  and  is  pre- 
cipitated in  an  oily  form  by  an  excess. 
Platinum  salt  (C19H22lST2b2)2PtCl6H2+4H20 .— A  solution  of  neutral 
cupreine  hydrochlorate  gives  with  solution  of  sodium  platinochloride  a 
yellow  flocculent  precipitate  that  is  very  sparingly  soluble  in  cold  water. 
When  heated,  this  salt  assumes  a  dark  green  color  before  burning. 
The  acid  salt,  C19H22N202PtCl6H2-f-H20,  is  obtained  as  a  yellow 
