CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF EPISPARTEINE N(16)-OXIDE DIHYDROCHLORIDE TRIHYDRATE

The structure of the title compound, [C15U28N2O](2+). 2Cl(-). 3H(2)O, has been determined by X-rays. The crystals are tetragonal, space grou p P4(1)2(1)2. The acidic protons at N(1) and O(16) are hydrogen bonded to chloride anions. The dications, chloride anions and water molecule s form 3-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds, in which one of the wa ter molecules is disordered. The strong preference of episparteine N(1 6)-oxide to form dihydrochloride salts is discussed and compared with other salts of sparteine N(16)-oxide.