A method involving H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy was used for quantita
tive determination of conformational equilibria in 12 bis-quinolizidin
e alkaloids and their two salts. In view of the three criteria, i.e. C
-13 chemical shifts for C12 and C14 as well as the coupling constant H
7-H17 beta, the results were consistent. The coupling constant H7-H17
beta was valid also for three-ring quinolizidine-piperidine alkaloids.
Factors influencing the equilibria were discussed.