Anabasine-Synonym Neonicotine-obtained from the leaves of Duboisia myoporoides R. Br.

B. Anabasine

Synonym Neonicotine;

Biological Sources It is obtained from the leaves of Duboisia myoporoides R. Br. (Solanaceae) (Corkwood tree; Pituri); fruits and leaves of Nicotiana glauca R. Grah. (Solanaceae) (Tree Tobaccoclaimed to be the richest source of anabasine (1.2%); leaves of Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae) (Tobacco, Tabac, Virginia Tobacco); and also the leaves of Anabasis aphylla L. (Chenopodiaceae).

Chemical Structure 3-(2-Piperidixyl) pyridine; (C₁₀H₁₄N₂).

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Isolation Anabasine is extracted on a large scale in Russia; and the industrial extraction processes have been reported by Sadykov and Timbekov* (1956).

Characteristic Features

1. It is a liquid freezing at 9°C; and boiling at 270-272°C; bp₁₄ 145-147°C; bp₂ 105°C.

2. Its physical parameters are: d₄²⁰ 1.0455; n_D²⁰ 1.5430; and [α]_D²⁰ -831⁰

3. It is soluble in most organic solvents and water.

Identification Tests

1. Being a secondary amine it can form a nitroso derivative.

2. Anabasine Hydrochloride: Its specific optical rotation is [α]_D  +16.5⁰ (C = 10 in water).

Uses It is invariably employed as an effective insecticide.