A NEW OPIUM ALKALOID ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF (±)–1–(3'–HYDR0XY–4'–METHOXYBENZYL)–2–METHYL–6–METHOXY–7–HYDROXY–1,2,3,4–TETRAHYDROISOQUINOLINE [(±)–RETICULINE]¹

Abstract

A new benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from opium has been shown to be identical with (±)–reticuline [(±)–coclanoline]. Its significance as a biogenetic precursor for the opium alkaloids is discussed.