A chemical investigation of the constituents of Nicotiana glauca R. Grah. (Solanaceae) (Wild tobacco)

Abstract

1. The alkaloid contained in Nicotiana glauca has been extracted and found to consist largely of optically inactive anabasine. It is of interest to note that anabasine from Anabasis aphylla is strongly laevo-rotatory, and the anabasine isolated from Nicotiana glauca in the U.S.A. by C.R. Smith had a small laevo rotation. 2. The alkaloid probably contains pyridine and piperidine, but the presence of these compounds could not be definitely proved. 3. Other alkaloids which have been found to occur with anabasine in cultivated tobaccos could not he detected. 4. The total alkaloid was found to comprise 1.3 per cent. of the dried plant. 5. Anabasine was found to form a well-crystallised mono-hydrochloride, which was fully investigated. 6. Other salts and derivatives of d-l-anabasine which were prepared and investigated were the picrate, aurichloride, neutral sulphate (di-anabasine sulphate, perchlorate, compound with p-toluene sulphonic acid and the tetra-bromo derivative and its picrate and picrolonate.