Abstract:
1. In this article are described the isolation of the alkaloid, platyphylline from Senecio adnatus D.C. as well as the preparation of some of its derivatives.
2. The alkaloid has the formula C₁₈H₂₅O₅N and its fission products are platynecine, C₈H₁₃O₂N and the monobasic platynecic acid, C₁₀H₁₄O₄. These findings are in conformity with those found for
platyphylline from S. platyphyllus D.C. (Orechoff, 1935).
3. The view is put forward with reserve that platynecic acid is identical with senecic acid and not a hydroxy acid as found by
Orechoff, but that the acid is a monolactonic, monobasic and acyclic
acid.
4. Senecio adnatus D.C. must henceforth be considered toxic to
stock as it contains at least 0.5 per cent. (calculated on the dried and
ground plant) of the active principle platyphylline.
