The role of N-acetyl amines in tetrahydro-β-carboline and tetrahydroisoquinoline biosynthesis

Abstract

Three labelled N-acetyl amines have been synthesized and tested as precursors of tetrahydro-β-carboline and tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. These are N-1 14C-acetyltryptamine, N-1- 14C-acetyl-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylethylamine and N-1- 14C-acetyl-3,4-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyphenylethylamine which were tested as precursors for eleagnine in Elaeagnus angustifolia, salsoline in Echniocereus merkeri and anhalonidine in Lophophora williamsii, respectively. Under conditions when the plants were synthesizing these alkaloids from other precursors none of these amides was incorporated.