From the seeds of Gloriosa superba, the new alkaloid 1,2-didemethylcol
chicine 2!, was isolated, accompanied by known naturally occurring al
kaloids colchicine, 2,3-didemethylcolchicine 1!, 3-demethylcolchicine
, N-formyl-N-deacetylcolchicine, and colchicoside. The structure of 1,
2-didemethylcolchicine was secured by H-1 nmr with the help of decoupl
ing and nOe difference spectra, ms, and alpha!D.