LYCOPODIUM ALKALOIDS: IV. REACTIONS OF α-CYANOBROMOLYCOPODINE AND ITS DERIVATIVES

Abstract

The hydrogenolysis and hydrolysis of α-cyanobromolycopodine to the secondary tricyclic base, α-des-dihydrolycopodine, is reported. The latter compound was converted to the methiodide in poor yield so that further degradations of the molecule through this derivative were not feasible. Hydride reductions of α-cyanobromolycopodine and some of its derivatives are recorded. The presence of a methylene group adjacent to the carbonyl group in lycopodine has been proved. Evidence is presented which suggests that the carbonyl group and the nitrogen atom are relatively close to one another in the molecule.