This review covers 61 new diterpene alkaliids studied in China in recent years. They were isolated mainly from Aconitum species, and also from one Delphinium and one Spiraea species. The structurally new features in the C19-aj-kaloids include 5-CH and 15 -OH. In thec C18-category, C-6 oxygenation was observed for the first time. 13C-NMR of some alkaloids were discussed. In alkaline media, the spontaneous rupture of the C(14)-C(20) bond of hetidine (63) is captured by the. 2 -OH tc form a new oxygen heterocycle. Acidification leads to facile regeneration of this bond. The hydrochloride of spiredine exists mainly in the form (68) where the C-6 keto group is involved. The immonium form (67) can be detected as the minor isomer in aqueous solution. CD spectra can be used to differentiate the positions of the keto functions at C-6, C-11 and C-13 cf the hetidine type alkaloids. © 1986 IUPAC