Molecular Interrelations in the Melodinus Alkaloids

Structural and chemotaxonomical data as well as consideration of standard organic reaction mechanisms provided a coherent picture about the probable formation of the small but characteristic group of Melodinus alkaloids in the plant family Apocynaceae. All 14 alkaloids could be classified into the melodan skeleton and its rearranged version and derived from 18,19- didehydrotabersonine as parent compound.