Chemical examination of Artemisia scoparia Waldst and Kit. Isolation of an essential oil and lactone

Abstract

1. From the flowering heads and seeds of Artemisia scoparia, which is the only species of Artemisia growing in the plains of India, a lactone and an essential oil have been obtained in yields of 0.92 and 0.75 per cent. respectively. 2. The lactone, which has been named "Scoparin", has been found to have the molecular formula C₁₆H₂₀O₅. It contains an α: β-unsaturation, one ketonic group and two methoxyl groups. 3. A number of derivatives of the lactone have been prepared and analysed.