In vitro Reactions of Alkaloids I: Decarbalkoxylation of Some Esters with Quinine Monohydrate and Perloline Hydrochloride

Abstract

We wish to describe the decarbalkoxylation of selected esters with the alkaloids quinine monohydrate (1) and perloline hydrochloride (2). Quinine has been effectively used for medicinal purposes and is the most important constituent of two Rubiaceous genera, Cinchona and Remijia ¹. Perloline² occurs in several species of grass and has been found to be inhibitory to seed germination, root elongation, protozoa mobility and cellulytic activity³. The stimulation of volatile fatty acid production by the alkaloid perloline is particularly noteworthy³.