Isoquinolines form one of the largest groups of plant alkaloids and they in clude a number of valuable clinical agents such as codeine, morphine, eme tine and tubocurarine. Research into different aspects of isoquinolines con tinues in profusion, attracting the talents of botanists, chemists, bioche mists, analysts, pharmacists and pharmacologists. Many of these aspects are of an interdisciplinary nature, and in April 1984, The Phytochemical Society of Europe arranged a 3-day symposium on The Chemistry and Bi ology of Isoquinoline Alkaloids in order to provide a forum for scientists of differing disciplines who are united by a common interest in this one class of natural product. Each chapter in this volume is based on a lecture given at this symposium. Attempts have been made to make the aims and objectives, experimental findings and conclusions reached, intelligible to scientists of differing backgrounds. The introductory chapter, which is mainly based on a historical discus sion, stresses that plants containing isoquinolines have proved to be both a boon and a curse to mankind. The Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum, produces the medicinally used alkaloids morphine, codeine, noscapine and papaverine whilst it also continues to provide drugs of abuse, particularly morphine and its readily prepared O,O-diacetyl derivative, heroin. Numer ous other alkaloids have been isolated from other members of the Papaver acea, and a knowledge of their presence and distribution within the various species has proved a useful adjunct to systematic botanical studies.

The Isoquinoline Alkaloids: A Course in Organic Chemistry is a description of the chemical structures of alkaloids. The book discusses the processes for degradation of isoquinoline alkaloids to recognizable compounds such as oxidation and exhaustive methylation. The associated processes in removing the nitrogen atom are also explained. The commonly used Hofmann process and the interpretation of its result are evaluated in the degradation of alkaloids. The cactus ""pellote"" used by Mexican Indians to induce hallucinatory experiences is examined. The active ingredient is identified as mescaline; its composition is analyzed to contain one primary amino and three methoxyl groups. The different syntheses made to duplicate mescaline are described. The structures of morphine, codeine, and thebain, which are all alkaloids of opium, are also analyzed. Another example of a principal alkaloid found in a plant is emetine found in the root of the ipecac. The pharmacological bases of emetine are isolated and noted as emetamine, cephaeline, psychotrine, and O-methylpsychotrine. The text also traces many other structural relationships within the subgroups of the isoquinoline alkaloids. Chemists, students and professors in organic chemistry, and laboratory technicians whose work is related to pharmacology will find this book informative.

The Isoquinoline Alkaloids: Chemistry and Pharmacology presents an overview of the chemistry, biogenesis, spectroscopy, and pharmacology of the isoquinoline alkaloids. This book examines the significant and interesting aspects of alkaloids. Organized into 32 chapters, this book starts with a discussion of the biogenesis of the isoquinolines and the various pharmacological effects of simple tetrahydroisoquinolines that have stimulant and convulsive properties. This text then explores the infrared absorptions, with emphasis on wavelength and frequency. Other chapters include topics on synthesis, degradation, reactions, absolute configuration, as well as on ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This book further explores the various methods available for the preparation of simple tetrahydroisoquinolines, including the Bischler–Napieralski, Pictet–Spengler, and phenolic cyclization, as well as the Friedel–Crafts acylation. The last chapter deals with ancistrocladine, which is the first isoquinoline alkaloid found to possess a methyl group. Biochemists and biophysicists will find this book useful.

The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Pharmacology

Isoquinoline alkaloids represent one of the two largest groups of alkaloids, the other being indole alkaloids. The present volume, which is the third of this series, describes the spectral data of about 700 isoquinoline alkaloids and covers the literature up to 1992. The spectral data of the remaining classes of isoquinoline alkaloids will be published in another volume within a year.The compounds are arranged according to their structural types in various subclasses. Within each subclass they are arranged in order of increasing molecular weight. Compounds in the same subclass and having the same molecular weight are arranged in order of increasing carbon number.The UV, IR, 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectral data are given in descending orders of magnitude. All &egr values in the UV spectra have been converted to log &egr. The chemical shifts in the 1 H-NMR spectral data are presented in ppm and the chemical shifts in the older data published in &tgr values have been converted to &dgr values to ensure uniformity of format. The protons and carbons to which the data refers have been italicised. If any of the data given is that of a salt (e.g. hydrochloride) then this is indicated in brackets before the data. If the compounds are known by more than one name, the older names are given in brackets after the newer one. Spectral data of simple derivatives of compounds are also reported, but only if the data for acetyl, benzoyl, methyl and ethyl derivatives are given. The numbering systems used are given both at the beginning of each sub-class as well as at the end of the book. Compound, molecular formula, molecular weight, plant sources and compound-type indices are also included which should enhance the utility of the book.

The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Biology, Volume 91, the newest release in a series that has covered the topic for more than 60 years, discusses key aspects of alkaloid chemistry, biology and pharmacology. Sections in this release include chapters on Recent Progress in the Chemistry of Naphthylisoquinoline Alkaloids. Provides the latest information on the study of alkaloids Covers alkaloid chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and medical applications Contains more than 80 published volumes in this interesting field of study