Dendrobium spp

Dendrobium Alkaloids.—A third synthesis of shihunine, the principal base of several Dendrobium spp., has been reported. It involves allowing the dilithio-anion (12) to react with l-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (13), to yield ( )-shihunine (14) in 23% yield.11 Full experimental details pertaining to a synthesis of ( )-dendrobine, reported briefly earlier, have been described.12... 

Occurrence in Non-solanaceous/Non-convolvulaceous Taxa. Later it was reported that hygrine and/or closely related derivatives are also constituents of different unrelated families found throughout the plant kingdom. Such sporadic occurrence was discovered - besides the Erythroxylaceae (see above) - for certain Sedum spp. (Crassulaceae) (Stevens et al. 1992 Kim et al. 1996), Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr. (Rhizophoraceae), Cochlearia arctica Slecht (Brassicaceae), as well as for Dendrobium chrysanthum Wall. (Orchidaceae) (Massiot and Delaude 1986 and references therein) and Picea breweriana S.Watson, Pinaceae (Schneider et al. 1995). 

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