Partial synthesis of 6'-hydroxycinchonine and its antiarrhythmic activity in mice

The synthesis of 6'-hydroxycinchonine [8R,9S)-cinchonan-6',9-diol] was achieved by demethylating quinidine with boron tribromide in dichloromethane at -75 degrees C. The antiarrhythmic activities of 6'-hydroxycinchonine and quinidine were compared following the infusion of aconitine into the tail veins of mice to induce arrhythmias. Comparative ED50 and LD50 studies for quinidine and 6'-hydroxycinchonine revealed equivalent antiarrhythmic potencies for the two drugs but a smaller acute toxicity for 6'-hydroxycinchonine.