Constitution of kanugin- Part I

Abstract

By the oxidation of kanugin with potassium permanganate in acetone solution 4-o-methylresorcylic acid (I) and a neutral compound (II) containing methoxyl groups and having the formula C₇H₈O₂ or C₁₁H₁₄O₃ have been obtained. Hydrolysis with alcoholic alkali yielded an acid which seemed to be impure (I). The presence of a resorcinol unit in the molecule seemed to be thus established. Demethylation of kanugin gave rise to nor-kanugin. It had the properties of a flavonol (C₁₆H₁₂O₇) and gave bright colours in alkaline buffer solutions. When its crystalline acetate was methylated a new methyl ether which was different from kanugin was produced. It was therefore concluded that by the action of hydriodic acid, besides demethylation some other changes were brought about.