Unexpected dimeric form of 17 - hydroxylupanine - MS and crystallographic studies

The bis-quinolizidine alkaloids such as sparteine, lupanine and their derivatives are produced by the plants of Leguminoseae family. 17-Hydroksylupanine can be obtained both: naturally (in reaction catalysed by enzyme) and synthetically. Our data demonstrate that 17-hydroxylupanine can exists in dimeric form. It is the first time that one of bisquinolisidine alkaloids exists in the dimeric form in a solid state. A structure of dimeric form was confirmed by EI MS mass spectra and X-ray analysis.