Page 19 - phytochemistry general program

Primary alkaloids react with p-toluene sulphonyl chloride to form the .1

corresponding sulphonamide derivatives as precipitate, the enol form of
which have acidic α-OH groups are soluble in fixed alkali.

Secondary alkaloids, on the other hand, react in a similar manner to form .2
the corresponding sulphonamide derivatives which have no α-OH functions .3

and therefore are insoluble in fixed alkali.

Tertiary alkaloids do not react .

Mixture of 1ry ,2ry and 3ry alkaloids

p-toluene sulphonyl chloride / Filter

ppt. filtrate

……… …………….

NaOH

ppt. filtrate
………….. ……………

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