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 Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, since its inception, has been recognized as a cornerstone of heterocyclic chemistry. Each volume attempts to discuss all aspects – properties, synthesis, reactions, physiological and industrial significance – of a specific ring system. To keep the series up-to-date, supplementary volumes covering the recent literature on each individual ring system have been published. Many ring systems (such as pyridines and oxazoles) are treated in distinct books, each consisting of separate volumes or parts dealing with different individual topics. With all authors are recognized authorities, the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Chemistry is considered worldwide as the indispensable resource for organic, bioorganic, and medicinal chemists.

The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, since its inception, has been recognized as a cornerstone of heterocyclic chemistry. Each volume attempts to discuss all aspects – properties, synthesis, reactions, physiological and industrial significance – of a specific ring system. To keep the series up-to-date, supplementary volumes covering the recent literature on each individual ring system have been published. Many ring systems (such as pyridines and oxazoles) are treated in distinct books, each consisting of separate volumes or parts dealing with different individual topics. With all authors are recognized authorities, the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Chemistry is considered worldwide as the indispensable resource for organic, bioorganic, and medicinal chemists.

The specific topic, “Isoquinolines And Beta-Carbolines As Neurotoxins And Neuroprotectants – New Perspectives In Parkinson`S Disease Therapy,” was chosen in light of accumulating neurobiological evidence indicating that, in addition to exogenous neurotoxins (e.g., 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine [MPTP]), endogenous compounds may play an important role in the most common neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson`s disease). Two groups of amine related compounds, which appeared chemically like MPTP, were detected in human brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): ß-carbolines (BCs) and tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs). These are heterocyclic compounds formed endogenously from phenylalanine/tyrosine (TIQs) and tryptophan, tryptamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (BCs), respectively and exert a wide spectrum of psychopharmacological and behavioral effects. The TIQs and BCs may bind to their own high affinity sites on neuronal membranes associated with or located close to the receptors of neurotransmitters. Research on TIQs and BCs is stimulated also by their possible role in pathological conditions, especially parkinsonism and alcoholism. Recently, clinical interest has been spurred by their role as neuroprotective, and even neurorestorative, anticonvulsant and antiaddictive, substances. In this book we are going to summarize, for the first time, the results from behavioral, neurochemical and molecular experiments, which demonstrate a wide spectrum of TIQs and BCs effects - from their rather mild neurotoxic actions to the important neuroprotective and antiaddictive properties. Additionally, the recent results of experimental studies in vivo have allowed a much better understanding and simultaneous comparison of the neurochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective and neurotoxic actions of endogenous TIQs and BCs and have pointed to the possibility of their therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, since its inception, has been recognized as a cornerstone of heterocyclic chemistry. Each volume attempts to discuss all aspects – properties, synthesis, reactions, physiological and industrial significance – of a specific ring system. To keep the series up-to-date, supplementary volumes covering the recent literature on each individual ring system have been published. Many ring systems (such as pyridines and oxazoles) are treated in distinct books, each consisting of separate volumes or parts dealing with different individual topics. With all authors are recognized authorities, the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Chemistry is considered worldwide as the indispensable resource for organic, bioorganic, and medicinal chemists.

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.

From the man who has done more research into,Ecstacy than any other chemist, author of the,best-selling Phenethylamines I Have Known and,Tyroptomines I Have Known, this is a comprehensive,reference work on isoquinolines found in plants.,Found in cactii and poppies among other plants,isoquinolines have various effects and uses, and,are commonly used in Chinese medicine. Extremely,well-known and respected within his own field and,revered by many for his unparalleled research into,mind-altering substances, this new text is ideal,for botanists, chemists and fans alike.