Isolation, Structure and Oxidative Fragmentation of 16-epi-19-S»Vindolinine — an Alkaloid from the Leaves of Catharanthus roseus+

While much work have been done on Catharan­ thus roseus (Apocynaceae) resulting in the isolation of about 100 alkaloids, there is persistent interest in the plant and new alkaloids continue to be reported. In continuation of our isolation and synthetic studies on the alkaloids of Catharanthus roseus [1 — 15], we have isolated a new alkaloid from the leaves of this plant by a combination of selective extraction, pre­ cipitation and crystallization and carried out spec­ troscopic and degradative studies on it to determine its structure.