Chimonanthus Lindl

The family Calycanthaceae is represented by only two genera, Galycanthus L., with about four species in the United States, and Chimonanthus Lindl. (Meratia Loisel.) with two Asiatic species. Its relation to other plant families is uncertain, and the nature of its chemical constituents has not shed any light upon possible affinities. 

Calycanthine (1).—The alkaloid occurs in both genera of Calycanthaceae, namely Calycanthus L. and Chimonanthus Lindl. Meratia Loisel). Although this base does not possess an indole skeleton, the elucidation of its structure and in particular Robinson s biogenetic proposals which ultimately led to its structure, were of such importance with respect to the rest of this group that its inclusion here is a necessity. The structural work on calycanthine began at a time when... 

While phenyl pyrrole derivatives have not been isolated from higher plants, a number of plant alkaloids have been shown to be derived from tryptophan (Manske, 1965). Several of these plants, such as the calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) and the family Calycanthaceae [Calycanthus L. and Chimonanthus Lindl.), yield compounds, e.g. physostigmine (VIII) and folicanthine (IX) whose biosynthesis may follow a pathway similar to that of pyrrolnitrin. 

Chimonanthine (172),242 isolated from leaves of Chimonanthus fragrans Lindle (Calicanthaceae), is an example of naturally occurring dimeric indole alkaloids of type C. 

Chimonanthus fragrans Lindle = Meretia praecox Rehd. et Wils.) b... 

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