Studies on the syntheses of heterocyclic compounds. Part CCCLXXXI. A novel conversion of galanthamine into nivalidine under non-acidic conditions

Galanthamine (I), when treated with potassium hydroxide, gave several products, including nivalidine (VI), anhydro-O-demethylgalanthamine (VIII) and its isomer (IX), and anhydrogalanthamine (VII). Anhydrogalanthamine (VII) was converted into nivalidine (VI).