Y. Asahi
Aug 1, 1961
Citations
0
Influential Citations
6
Citations
Journal
Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan
Abstract
Narcotine-N-oxide shows a catalytic hydrogen wave as narcotine and other alkaloids. The reduction waves of narcotine-N-oxide are ascribed to the 2-electron reduction of the N-oxide to narcotine. Their 1st step is an adsorption wave of the reductant. The adsorped film disturbs the further electrode reaction, an anomalous minimum wave is observed in higher concentration. The 2nd step in pH 1∼5 corresponds to the proton adduct of the N-oxide with lactone and the 3rd step in pH 5∼10 to the base of the N-oxide. Narcotine and its N-oxide change reversibly to hydroxycarboxylate type in alkali, which gives more negative reduction potential of the N-oxide and an absorption maximum in shorter wavelength. The velocity constants of cleavage of the lactone and of the reverse reaction are proportional to [OH−] and [H+], respectively.