ISOLATION AND STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION OF GRIFFITHINE BY 1D-NMR AND 2D-NMR TECHNIQUES

The isolation and structure elucidation of a novel dimeric alkaloid, griffithine, from the leafy shoots of Sophora griffithii Stock (Papilionaceae) is described. The alkaloid possesses a 12-membered ring system formed by the linking of C-10 and C-10' of the alkaloid with the N-1 and N-1' atoms, respectively. The structure was established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies. The relative stereochemistry at the chiral centres was determined by NOE difference experiments. 10-Oxosparteine was isolated for the first time from the leafy shoots of Sophora griffithii.