Chemical investigation of the plant Acalypha indica : isolation of triacetonamine, a cyanogenetic glucoside and quebrachite

Abstract

(1) The plant Acaly)pha indica is cyanogenetic containing approximately 210 mgm. HC per 100 gm. dry weight of the dried powdered material. (2) A base is present in extracts of the plant, being derived from some precursor, possibly the glucoside itself. (3) This base has been identified as triacetonamine, the picrate (M.P. 1960 ) and 2:4 dinitrophenylhydrazone of which have been prepared and described. (4) From the plant, Quebrarhite, I-inositol monomethyl ether, has also been isolated. (5) The cyanogenetic glucoside appears to crystallise in two forms, thin hexagonal plates, M.P. 182-4° and fine, silky needles, M.P. 108 °. The molecular formula C14H20 <22>N2 0 10 is suggested. It yields basic material on hydrolysis. (6) From an acid hydrolyate of the glucoside, tested with Brady's reagent, acetic acid 2:4 dinitrophenylhydrazide has been isolated. The possibility of the presence in the molecule of an N-acetyl group is indicated.