Crystallization of pseudopolymorphs of some gamboge pigments. Pyridine, dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide solvates of morellic acid, gambogic acid and guttiferic acid

Abstract

Morellic acid, gambogic acid and guttiferic acid are related naturally-occurring xanthone pigments that yield X-ray quality crystals only from solvents like pyridine, dimethylformamide (dmf) and dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso). The structures of four of these crystals have been determined and are found to contain solvents of crystallization. The solvents hydrogen bond to the carboxyl groups with O-H…O/N motifs previously seen in other carboxylic acids. Distinctive, however, is the presence of an extended though somewhat diffuse array of C-H…O hydrogen bonds that aggregates the entire solute-solvent assemblage in a multi-point manner. Pyridine and dmf are able to mimic each other with respect to their hydrogen bond donating and accepting characteristics and in this respect play equivalent roles in their solvates with morellic acid and gambogic acid. Dmso is seen to self-associate in its guttiferic acid solvate. It is possible that these solvents with multiple hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor capability can act as hydrogen bond nucleators, providing just enough rigidity to the solutes to ensure crystallization.