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A Possible Common Biogenetic Origin of the Nicotine, Tropane and Hygrine Bases

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Abstract

THE isolation of both hyoscine and nicotine from a genotype of Duboisia myoporoides1 suggests the possibility of a close biosynthetic relation between these bases, and is consequently of interest in connexion with the classical schemes of alkaloid biogenesis2. However, a synthesis of nicotine or a related compound under so-called physiological conditions has not yet been effected, and it seems desirable to consider a possible alternative mechanism.

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References

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MORTIMER, P. A Possible Common Biogenetic Origin of the Nicotine, Tropane and Hygrine Bases. Nature 172, 74–75 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/172074b0

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