ALKALOIDS

INTRODUCTION
What is Alkaloids: Alkaloids means Alkali likes. The Pharmacist W.Meissner proposed
the term Alkaloids in 1819. Acc. to him "Alkaloids (alkali = base, oid=like sub) are basic
nitrogenous compd. of plant origin which have complex molecular structure & many
pharmacological activity."
Acc to Landenberg "Alkaloids are defined as natural plant compounds that have a
basic character and contain at least one nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring and having
biological activities."
Acc to characteristic features Alkaloids are basic nitrogenous plant origin,
mostly optically active & possessing nitrogen hetero cycles as there structural units
with physiological action.
This definition not fully correct because not follow on all alkaloids for e.g.
Colchicine: Colchicine is regarded as an alkaloid although it is not Heterocyclic and is
scarcely basic.
Thiamine: It is heterocyclic nitrogenous base but not as a alkaloid because it is universally
distributed in living matter.
Nitrogen as side chain: Some compound is classed as in alkaloids but they do not contain
nitrogen in heterocyclic ring, but contain nitrogen inside the chain e.g. ephedrine,
hordenine, betanine, choline, muscarine, strychnine & tryptamine etc.
Naturally occurring open chain basic compound: These compounds have physiological
activity but do not class in alkaloids e.g. Cholines, amino acid, phenylethylamines etc.
Piperine: It is neither basic character nor possessing any physiological activity but include
in alkaloids.
Those compound, which fully satisfy the definitions, like physiological active,
heterrocyclic basic nitrogenous ring but they do not classed in alkaloids e.g.- Thiamine,
caffeine, purine, theobromine, and xanthenes.
Acc. To Pelletier 1983 an alkaloids is cyclic compounds containing nitrogen in
negative of oxidation state. Which is of limited distribution in Living organisms.
"From above discussion, a conclusion can be drown quit safely that it is still
difficult to define an Alkaloid"

OCCURRENCE OF ALKALOIDS
Alkaloids are chemically nitrogenous heterocyclic basic compound occur in nature,
about15% of vascular plant & widely distributed in higher plant e.g.. -Apocynace,
papaveraceae, papilanaceae, rananeulaceae, solenaceae.
They are present in the form of salts of organic acid, like acetic acid, oxalic acid,
malic, lactic, tartaric, tannic, aconitic acid, few are with sugar e.g. Solanum, veratrum
groups. Acc. to parts of plants:
Leaves: Nicotine
Bark: Cinchonine, Quinine.
Seeds: Strychnine, Nibidine.
Roots: Rawelfinine, Glycyrrhizin, Punarnavine I & II

NOMENCLATURE
There was no systematic nomenclature. But there are some methods for
nomenclature are mention below.
1. According to their source: There are named according to the family in which they are
found.
e.g. papavarine, punarnavin, ephedrin.
2. According to their Physiological response: There are named according to their
physiological response.
e.g.. Morphine means God of dreams, Emetine means to vomit.
3. According to there discover: There are named according to there discover. e.g..
pelletierine group has been named its discoverer, P.J. Pelletier.
4. Prefixes: There are named by some prefixes are fix in nomenclature of alkaloids.
e.g. epi, iso, neo, pseudo, nor- CH3 group not attach to Nitrogen.

CLASSIFICATION
Alkaloids are classified as:
A) Taxonomic based: According to their family e.g. solanaceous, papilionaceous without
reference their chemical type of alkaloids present & another according to genus. e.g..
ephedra, cinchona etc.

B) Pharmacological based: Their pharmacological activity or response. For example:

1. Analgesic alkaloids
2. Cardio active alkaloids etc. Do not have chemical similarity in their group.
C) Bio Synthetic based: According to this alkaloids are classified on the basis of the type
precursors or building block compounds used by plants to synthesise the complex structure.
e.g.. Morphine, papaverine, narcotine, tubocurarine & calchicine in phenylalanine tyrosin
derived base.
D) Chemical classification: This classification is universally adopted & depends on the
fundamental ring structure. According to these two main groups.
1. Non-heterocyclic Alkaloids: In this group of alkaloid not has any one Heterocyclic
ring in their structure. e.g.- Hordinine (Hordeum vulgare), Ephedrine(Ephedra
gerardiana) Genateceae.
2. Heterocyclic Alkaloids: According to heterocyclic ring the alkaloids are sub divide
in following: 1) Pyrrole-Pyrrolidine: This type of alkaloids contains pyroll or pyrrolidine ring in
their structure e.g.. Hygrines Coca sp.
2) Pyrrolizidine: Alkaloids containing Pyrrolizidine Heterocyclic ring in their structure
e.g.. - seneciphylline Senecio sp.

Pyrrole

Pyrrolizidine

Pyridine

3) Pyridine & Piperidine: Alkaloids containing Pyridine Heterocyclic ring in their

structure e.g. Nicotine, Lobaline, Piperidine, Ricinine.
4) Piperidine (Tropane): Alkaloid containing tropone ring.
Atropine Hyoscine- Solanceae Cocain- Coca sp.

Tropane
Lupinane

Quinoline
Indole

e.g..- Hyoscyomine,

Iso Quinoline

Nor

5) Quinoline : Those Alkaloids containing quinolin ring in their structure e.g..Quinine, Quinidine. (Cinchona bark) Cinchonine, Cinchonidine & cusparin -(cusparia bark
6) Iso Quinoline: Alkaloids containing iso quinoline ring in thier chemical structure e.g.
Papavarine, Narceine Emetine & cephaline. (Cephalis sp Rubiaceae).
7) Reduced isoquinoline (Aporphine): The alkaloid contain reduced isoquinoline ring
in their structure e.g. Baldine, (Peumus Baldus) (Manioniaceae)
8) Nor Lupinane: Alkaloids present in leguminoceae plants e.g. spartine, lupanine.
9) Indole Alkaloids: Alkaloids containing indole ring. e.g. Yohimbine, Aspidospermine
(Apocynaceae) Vinblasine, vincristine (catheranthus roseus).

EXTRACTION AND ISOLATION

Purification or isolation of alkaloids from a plant is always difficult process because
an alkaloids bearing plant generally contains a complex mixture of several alkaloids with
glycoside organic acid also complicate the process. Following steps are involved in
isolation process.
1. Detection of presence of Alkaloids: First of all confirm the presence of alkaloids in raw
material or crud drugs by various reagents called Alkaloids reagents e.g.
I. Mayer (Cream Co lour) Test II. Marquis (Conc. HCHO) Test. III. Erdmann (Conc.
HNO3) Test IV. Hager's (Yellow Colour) Test V. Frohdes (Molybdic acid) Test
2. Extraction: - The plants is dried, then finally powdered and extracted with boiling
methanol. The solvent is distilled off and the residue treated with inorganic acids, when the
bases (alkaloids) are extracted as their soluble salts. The aqueous layer containing the salt
of alkaloids and soluble plant impurities is made basic with NaOH. The insoluble alkaloids
are set free precipitate out. The solid man (ppt.) so obtained is then extracted with ether
when alkaloid pass into solution and impurity left behind. Flow Chart of extraction
Powdered Drug/ Macerated Plant
Light Petroleum ether.
Filtration.

Filtrate

Plant residue
Evaporate.
1. CH3OH (72 hrs. extraction)
2. Filtration.
Fat
3. Evaporate.
Crude Plant extract
1. Dissolve Water.
2. Acidify to pH-2.

3. Steam distillation.
4. Filter.
Filtrate
Ether.

Ether soluble
Evaporate.

Acid Solution
Ether + NaOH

Basic Material

Aqueous residue

Ether solution
Evaporate.

(Crude Alkaloids)
3. Separation of Alkaloids: After detection of next step is separation of a relatively
small percentage of alkaloids from large amount of crude drugs. E.g.- Opium
contains 10% Morphine, Chincona contains 5-8 % Quinine, Belladona- 0.2% of
Hyoscyamine.
The required alkaloid is separated from the mixture from fractional, crystallization,
chromatography and ion exchange method.
PHYSICAL-PROPERTY
I)

They are colorless, crystalline solid. Exception - Berberin (Yellow),

Nicotine Coniine (liquid).

II)

They are insoluble in water (exception liquid alkaloids soluble in water),

soluble in organic solvent ( CHCl3, Ethyl alcohol ether)

III) Taste: They are bitter in taste.

IV) Optically active, Most of levo ratatory but few are -Dextro rotatory e.g.
Coniine, some inactive- e.g.- papaverine.

CHEMICAL TEST OF ALKALOIDS

1. Mayer's Test: Specimen with Mayer's reagent give Cream or pale yellow ppt.
2. Dragendroff Reagent Test: Specimen with Dragendroff Reagent give orange ppt.
3. Wagners Test: Specimen with Wagner's Reagent give brown or reddish brown ppt.

4. Hager's Test: Specimen with Hager's reagent give yellow ppt. (Special Type)
5. Amonium Rinker Test: Specimen with Ammonium Rinket solutions with HCL give
flocculent pink ppt.
GENERAL METHODS FOR STRUCTURE DETERMINATION OF ALKALOIDS
Molecular formula of majority of Alkaloids is complex so very little achievement in
their elucidation of structure. During 19th Century. Now general procedures for elucidation
of structure of alkaloids are adopted.
1. Molecular formula molecular weight: A pure specimen of alkaloids its empirical
formula and molecular weight by elemental or combustion analysis. No. Of double bond is
determined by double bond equivalent method.
2) Number of Double bond: - Number of Rings present in an alkaloids can be determine
by following formula- Ca Hb Nc Od
Then number of double bond present in Ring= a-b/2 + C/2 + 1
3) Functional group Analysis:
a) Functional Nature of Oxygen: - Oxygen presents in alkaloids as: - OH (Phenolic/
Alcoholic), - OCH3 Methoxy, - OCOCH3 (Acetoxy), - OCOC6H5 ( Benzoxyl),
-COOH
(Carboxylic),- COOK (carboxylate),>C=O (Carbonyl),= C-O-O (Lactones Ring).It can be
determined by infra red or organic analysis method.
(1) Hydroxyl group: - Formation of Acetate on treatment with Acetic anhydride /Acetyl
chloride or benzoate on treatment with Benzyl chloride.
R- OH + (CH3CO)2 O
R- OH + CH3COCl
R- OH + C6H5COCl

ROOCCH3 + CH3COOH
ROOCCH3 + HCl
ROOCC6H5 + HCl

If Primary amines are present in an alkaloids also give this test. Then Hydroxyl group is
can be determined by zerewitinoff method.
NaOH
R-OH +CH3COCl
R-OCOCH3R- OH +CH3COONa
Excess of Alkali is estimated by titration with standard HCl. Number of -OH group can be
calculated from the volume of Alkali used for Hydrolysis. Grignard-method.
- OH + MeMgI
- NH + MeMgI

- OMgI + CH4
- NMgI + CH4

1- OH= 1>NH group= 22.4 liter of N2 STP

10, 20-OH, 30 -OH group. By oxidation or dehydration to unsaturated compound. If OH

group is phenolic, and then Alkaloid is - Soluble in NaOH
- Re precipitated by CO2
- Giving coloration with FeCl3
(2) Carboxylic group: - soluble in aqueous solution sodium carbonate or ammonia on treat
with alcohol form ester.
Number of -COOH group can be determined by volumetrically by titration against a
standard. Ba(OH)2 solution by using phenolphthalein as an indicator.
(3) Oxo-group: - On treatment with Hydroxylamine. Semicanbezide, phenylhydrazide
,oxime ,semicarbazone phenyl Hydrazine
>C=O + H2NOH

>C=N-OH

>C=O +H2NNHCONH2

>C=NNHCONH2

The distinction between aldehyde and ketone is done by oxidation or reduction, also
by NMR, IR, and UV techniques.
(4) Methoxyle group: - BY Zeisel determination method. When methoxy group present in
a alkaloids treated with HI at 1260C perform methyl iodide which can treated further with
silver nitrites to perform silver iodide precipitate. Which estimated gravimetrically e.g..
Papavarine.
HI
C2OH4OO4N

AgNO3
4MeI

4AgI (estimated gravimetrically)

(5) Methylenedioxy group: - On heated with concentrated with HCL or H2SO4 to form
formaldehyde and further formation of dime done derivative, which estimated
gravimetrically.
-OCH2 O-

heat/HCl/H2SO4

HCHO

dime done derivative

(Estimated gravimetrically)

b) Ester Amide Lacton & Lactum group: These groups are identified by the estimation
of product.
>CONH2 + NaOH

Heat

-COONa + NH3

>COOR

Heat

-COONa + ROH

+ NaOH

c) Nature of Nitrogen

Majority of nitrogen presence in alkaloids are secondary and tertiary: If tertiary

when treated with H2 O2 (50%) form.
=N +H2O2

=N O +H2O

If alkaloids react with one molecule of methyl-iodide to form N-methyl derivative,

it means secondary e.g.
(C8H16O4) NH + CH3I

(C8H16O4) NCH3 + HI

General reaction of alkaloids with acetic-anhydride, methyl-iodide, and nitrous acid are
often showing the nature of nitrogen
If react with one molecule of methyl-iodide to form crystalline quaternary salt this
indicates that nitrogen is tertiary e.g.
N= (C10H24)= N + 2CH3I

IH3C+N= (C10H24)= N +CH3I-

N-methyl group:
On distillation with soda lime if methylamine is produce show the presence of
methyl group for e.g.
Soda-lime
(C10H14N)=N-CH3
CH3NH2
Nicotine
CaO

N-

Determination of Number of CH3-groups Attached to N-atom: By Herzig- Mayers method

when a sample is treated with hydrogen iodide at 1500-3000C and than treated silver nitrate,
which form silver iodide, which estimated gravimetrically.
N- methylamine + HI

1500-3000

>NH + MeI

AgNO3

AgI
Estimated gravimetrically

d) Estimation of C-Me Group by Kuhn Roth Oxidation: When treated with K2Cr2O7
or H2SO4 an acid is produce, which estimated gravimetrically.
K2Cr2O7 or H2SO4
-C-Me
MeCOOH
Estimated gravimetrically
e) Degradation of Alkaloids: For discovering the structural system which incorporate
these substituents groups & is tackled by degradation of the molecules by following
methods:
1) Hoffmann's exhaustive methylation: - This is a composite reaction of alkaloid
(Heterocyclic amines). This involves following steps:

a) The alkaloid is treated with excess of CH3I to form quartertionarey -ammoniumiodide.

b) 40-ammonium iodide is converted to the hydroxide and heated. The -OH of hydroxide
extracts hydrogen atom from beta position and eliminate a water molecule and also the ring
is cleaved at the N-atom to give an open chain 30-amine.

c) The step Ist and IInd are repeated when a second cleavage at the N-atom given an
unsaturated hydrocarbon which isomerases to conjugated derivative.

The exhaustive methylation of an alkaloid is an important method for the investigation of

the nature of the C-skeleton in the heterocyclic system.
2) Emde Degradation Method: If alkaloids do not contain beta Hydrogen atom then
Hoffmann exhaustive degradation method is failed. In such cases Emde degradation are
applied, in this final step involve the reductive cleavage of quartertionarey ammonium salt
either by Na-Hg or NaNH3 or by catalytic hydrogenation e.g.
RCH2NR3X

Na-Hg or NaNH3
RCH3 + NR3+ HX

2) Von Braun's Method: - This method is of two types:

A. Tertiary amine, which contains at least one-alkyl substituents, is treated with cyanogen
bromide. The results in cleavage of an alkyls nitrogen bond to give an alkyl halide and a
substituted Cyanamid.
R3N + CN - Br --

R - Br + R2N - CN

This method is often applicable to such compounds that do not respond to Hofmann's
method e.g. Cocaine
B. Secondary cyclic Amine is treated with Benzoyle chloride in presence of NaOH to yield
the Benzoyle derivative which on treatment with phosphorus followed by distillation under
reduced pressure yield di Halo compund.
NaOH
Distillation
R2NH+ C6H5COCl

R2N-COC6H5

Br2
R2NCBr2C6H5

Br-RRBr + C6H5CN

3) Reductive degradation & Zinc dust distillation: In some case ring may open by
Heating up to 3000C with Hydroiogic acid e.g. Coniine
C8H17N

Zn dust /Heat

+ 6H
C3H7

4) Alkali fusion: This is very drastic method, which is often employed to break down the
complex of complex alkaloids molecule to simpler fragment. The nature of fragment,
which will give information type of nucleus present in alkaloid molecule e.g. Adrenaline,
Papaverine, Cinchonine
Adrenaline

KOH Fusion

5) Oxidation: - This method gives quite information about the structure of alkaloids by
varying the strength of the oxidizing agents it is possible to obtain a variety of product e.g.
A. Mild oxidation- H2O2, HI in ethanolic solution & alkaline potassium ferric-cyanide.
B. Moderate oxidation: KMnO4 (Alkali) Cr2O3 (Acetic Acid)

C. Vigorous oxidation: K2Cr2O7, (H2SO4), Cr2O3 (H2SO4), conc. HNO3, MnO2 (H2SO4)
K2Cr2O7 (H2SO4)
C10 H14N2

C6H5COOH

6) Dehydrogenation: - When Alkaloid is distilled with catalyst such as sulphur, selenium

or palladium dehydrogenation takes place to form relatively simple & easily recognizable
product which provide the clue to gross skeleton.
7) Synthesis: - The structure of the alkaloids arrived at by the exclusive analytical evidence
based on going method is only tentative.
The final conformation of the structure must be done by the unambiguous synthesis.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF ALKALOIDS
As more and more structure of alkaloids were elucidated, it become increasingly
probable that the precursor in the biosynthesis of many alkaloids were amino acids and
amino-aldehyde or amines derived from them, Woodward 1948 proposed a biosynthesis of
strychnine.
Because the great diversity of structure of alkaloids, it not possible to develop only
one hypothesis of biosynthesis of alkaloids. Thus many pathways have been proposed, each
one accounting for the biosynthesis of a number of alkaloids of related structure.
The most common aminoacids that act as precursor in biosynthesis of alkaloids are:
i. Ornithine H2N (CH2) CHNH2COOH
ii Lysine H2N (CH2)3 CHNH2COOH
iii. Phenylalanine (R=H)
RC6H5CH2CH(NH2)COOH
iv. Tyrosine (R=OH)
vi. Methionine MeSCH2CH2CH(NH2)COOH
vii Trytophen
Some common reactions are:
Decarboxylation : formation of amine
RCH (NH2) COOH

RCH2NH2 +CO2

Oxidation: formation of aldehyde

RCH (NH2) COOH

RCOCOOH

RCHO

Shiff base formation:

R1CHO +R2NH2

R1CH=NR2

PHYSICAL METHOD
These following physical methods are applied to elucidate the structure of alkaloids:

U.V. Spectroscopy
IR Spectroscopy
Nuclear Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Mass spectroscopy
Optical rotatory dispersion & circular dichroism.
Conformational Analysis
X-Ray diffraction