Abstract Solvolysis of delphisine in refluxing methanol gives 8-deacetyl-8-O-methyl-1-epi- delphisine. Similarly, hydrolysis of delphisine in boiling water affords 14-O-acetyl-1-epi- neoline and solvolysis of 8-O-acetylneoline in methanol gives 8-O-methyl-1-epi-neoline. The structures of the products have been proved by spectral data and comparison with authentic samples. For epimerization to occur, both a α-OH-1 and a OAc-8 group are necessary. ...
