The biosynthesis of sedamine

The biosynthesis of sedamine (IX) was studied in excised shoots of Sedum acre L. Phenyl-alanine serves as the precursor of the C 6 – C 2 side chain. The piperidine nucleus is derived from lysine, which is incorporated by way of a nonsymmetrical intermediate. These findings are consistent with Robinson's classical biogenetic hypothesis. They are incompatible with a polyacyl origin of the sedamine skeleton.