The structure of a new metabolic derivative of quinine

The isolation and crystallization of a product obtained by the in vitro action of rabbit liver on quinine (I) have recently been described by Kelsey, Geiling, Oldham, and Dearborn (1). The work reported here was undertaken with the object of obtaining information, as rapidly as possible, as to the possible structure of this product, which might prove useful in other malarial investigations. Thus no attempt has been made to obtain or present a rigid proof of structure of the metabolic product, which, for convenience, will be referred to as QDP (quinine-derived product). Evidence will be presented which suggests that QDP is levorotatory 2’-hydroxy-6’-methoxy-3-vinylruban-9-ol (II), according to the notation introduced by Rabe (2).