Photo-induced elimination in some aporphinium salts

Ultraviolet irradiation of (+)-glaucine methiodide in methanol gave the elimination product 1-[2'-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)]-3,4,6,7- tetramethoxyphenanthrene in good yield. Analogous products were obtained from the ethiodide and benzylbromide salts of this aporphine alkaloid, and from quaternary salts of (+)-boldine and (-)-O,O'-dimethylapomorphine. This photoelimination reaction was also applied to the hydrochloride salts of (+)-glaucine and (+)-boldine.