The aberrant biosynthesis of 2′-nitro- and 2′-bromo-papaverines

Abstract

Incorporation of labelled racemic 2′-bromonor-reticuline (5) and 2′-nitronor-reticuline (6) into 2′-bromopapaverine (2) and 2′-nitropapaverine (3), respectively, has been studied in Papaver somniferum(Papaveraceae) plants, and specific incorporation of (5) and (6) into (2) and (3), respectively, has been demonstrated. Further, it has been shown that (5) and (6) are not metabolized by the plants to form papaverine (1).