Constituents of Melicope perspicuinervia (Rutaceae). The Structures of Halfordinine and Melinervin, a New Flavone

Abstract

From the leaves of Melicope perspicuinervia Merr. & Perry the following substances were isolated: skimmianine, kokusaginine, (±)-platydesmine, halfordinine, piperonylic acid, α-onocerin, β-sitosterol, quercetin 3,3'-dimethyl ether and a new flavone, melinervin. The latter was shown to be 3,5,7-trihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone by its spectroscopic properties and by synthesis. Halfordinine was shown to be 6,7,8-trimethoxydictamnine by degradative methods.