Isolation and constitution of pedicellic acid: a new dicarboxylic acid from the leaves of didymocarpus pedicellata

Abstract

Pedicellic acid (C₁₈H₃₄O₄) obtained from the leaves of Didymocarpus pedicellata is a dicarboxylic acid. Its UV and IR spectra indicate that it is a long chain aliphatic acid without unsaturation. The NMR spectrum of its dimethyl ester confirms the molecular formula and shows the presence of two different C-methyl groups and two identical carboxylic groups. Pedicellic acid has been converted into the corresponding hydrocarbon called pedicellane. The constitution of the acid as α-methyl-α'-tridecylsuccinic acid has been established.