DOLICHOTHELINE, A NOVEL IMIDAZOLE ALKALOID FROM DOLICHOTHELE SPHAERICA H. Rosenberg and A. G. Paul College of Pharmacy The University of Michigan

Alkaloids were extracted by the method previously reported and separated into phenolic and non-phenolic fractions (1). Crystallization of dolichotheline was accomplished by treating the condensed non-phenolic fraction with benzeneacetone (1:l). The crystalline base (0.02% on the basis of dry weight) melted at 130-131", was homogeneous on TLC and gave the characteristic red color of nonsubstituted ring-nitrogen imidazoles with a modified Pauly's reagent (2-4). Elemental analysis supports the empirical formula C 1oH17N30 (Calcd.: 6, 61.51; H, 8.77; N, 21.52. Found: C, 61.57; H, 8.73; N, 21.55). The picrate melted at 150-152O and elemental analysis supports the empirical formula C16H20N608(Ca1Cd.: C, 45.28; H, 4.75; N, 19.80. Found: c, 44.69;