2874. 3-Dehydroretinol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 79-80-1
3,4-Didehydroretinol; (all-E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadien-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol; all-trans-3-dehydroretinol; retinol2; vitamin A2.
C20H28O; mol wt 284.44.
C 84.45%, H 9.92%, O 5.62%.

Description and references

Naturally occurring retinoid originally discovered in livers of fresh-water fish. Constitutes 20-25% of total retinoid content in human epidermis; levels are markedly elevated in patients with hyperproliferative dermatoses such as psoriasis. Discovery in freshwater fish: E. Lederer et al., Nature 140, 233 (1937); J. R. Edisbury et al., ibid. 234. Isoln from pike liver oils: E. M. Shantz, Science 108, 417 (1948). Structure and synthesis: K. R. Farrar et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1952, 2657. Synthesis and characteristics of stereoisomers: U. Schwieter et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 45, 517, 528, 541, 548 (1962). HPLC determn in fish oils: B. Stancher, F. Zonta, J. Chromatogr. 312, 423 (1984). Identification in human skin: A. Vahlquist, Experientia 36, 317 (1980). Comparative levels in psoriasis patients: O. Rollman, A. Vahlquist, Arch. Dermatol. Res. 278, 17 (1985). Biosynthesis from retinol, q.v., in cultured keratinocytes: O. Rollman et al., Biochem. J. 293, 675 (1993).

Chemical structure

Properties

Light yellow needles from petr ether, mp 63-65°. uv max (ethanol): 350 nm (E1%1cm 1455).