THE ALKALOIDS OF FUMARACEOUS PLANTS: VII. Dicentra eximia (KER) TORR.

A chemical examination of Dicentra eximia has resulted in the isolation of six alkaloids. Protopine and dicentrine together constitute the greater portion of the total bases while d-glaucine was obtained in minute amounts. Two of the three other alkaloids, all of which appear to be new, resemble corydine and isocorydine and have been named eximine and eximidine respectively. They are isomeric and are best represented by the formula, C17H13N (OMe)3(OH). The sixth base was obtained in traces only and until further characterized will be referred to as alkaloid (δ). The yields of purified alkaloids obtained were as follows: dicentrine, 0∙41; glaucine, 0∙03; eximine, 0∙30; eximidine, 0∙04; protopine, 0∙45; alkaloid (δ), 0∙01%: total, 1∙24%.The alkaloid isolated by Eggleston, Black and Kelly from D. eximia and named eximine by them is identical with dicentrine.