PRODUCT Properties
| Melting point: | 270-280°C |
| storage temp. | Store at RT |
| solubility | H2O: soluble |
| form | solid |
| color | white |
| Sensitive | Light Sensitive |
Description and Uses
This alkaloid is isolated as the oxalate from the leaf extract of Rauwolfia canescens L. from which the free base may be obtained as colourless needles which are laevorotatory with [α]30D - 40° (EtOH). The alkaloid forms crystalline salts: the hydrochloride, m.p. 27S-2S00C (dec.); [α]30D + 74° (H20); nitrate, m.p. 257-SoC (dec.); oxalate, m.p. 245-6°C and the picrate, m.p. 20SoC. Two active hydrogens are present and the alkaloid furnishes a monoacetyl derivative, m.p. 2l6-SoC (dec.). Treatment with concentrated ammonia solution at room temperature converts the base into rauwolscinic acid, C2oH2403N2.H20, m.p. 262-4°C (dec.); [α]23D + l36.So (H20) which yields a crystalline hydrochloride, m.p. 255.5-257.5°C (dec.) and on esterification with MeOH reverts to the original alkaloid. On distillation with Zn dust, rauwolscine yields harman, 2-methylindole (skatole) and isoquinoline.
Chakravarti has shown that the alkaloid is a cardiovascular depressant, shows hypotensive activity and is relatively highly toxic.
Standard alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist
Safety
| Symbol(GHS) |  GHS06 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H300-H310-H330 |
| Precautionary statements | P301+P310a-P304+P340-P320-P330-P405-P501a |
| Hazard Codes | T |
| Risk Statements | 23/24/25 |
| Safety Statements | 22-36/37/39-45 |
| RIDADR | UN 1544 6.1/PG 2 |
| WGK Germany | 3 |
| RTECS | ZG1035000 |
| HazardClass | 6.1 |
| HS Code | 29339900 |
