Colouring matter of the flowers of Hibiscus cannabinus: constitution of cannabiscetin

Abstract

The colouring matter of the flower petals of Hibiscus cannabinus consists mostly of the glucoside cannabiscitrin along with small quantities of the corresponding aglucone cannabiscetin. The properties and reactions of these two substances are described along with those of some of their derivatives. Cannabiscetin forms a hexaacetate and a hexamethyl ether. It is a flavonol exhibiting similarities with gossypetin and herbacetin particularly in regard to alkali colour reactions and gossypetone reaction. It yields gallic acid on being subjected to alkali fission, its methyl ether producing trimethyl gallic acid. It is, therefore, concluded to be 3:5:8:3':4':5' hexahydroxy flavone.