Synthesis of Some Quaternary Pilocarpine Salts

Pilocarpine is classed as a cholinergic drug. Unlike the choline analogs and derivatives, pilocarpine is not a quaternary ammonium but a tertiary amine derivative. In order to study the pharmacological activity of the quaternary salts of pilocarpine, a series of such salts were synthesized. Also prepared were a series of new picrate salts of the pilocarpine derivatives. The optical activity and the specific rotations of the new derivatives are reported. The infrared spectra were determined also.