3697. Esculetin

Nomenclature

CAS number: 305-01-1
6,7-Dihydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one; 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin; cichorigenin.
C9H6O4; mol wt 178.14.
C 60.68%, H 3.39%, O 35.93%.

Description and references

The aglucon of esculin and of cichoriin. By hydrolysis of esculin or of cichoriin: Merz, Arch. Pharm. 270, 486 (1932). By synthesis: Gattermann, K"obner, Ber. 32, 288 (1899); Bert, Compt. Rend. 214, 230 (1942). Review: Sethna, Shah, Chem. Rev. 36, 1 (1945).

Chemical structure

Properties

Prisms from glacial acetic acid; leaflets by vacuum sublimation. mp 268-270°. Soluble in dil alkalies with blue fluorescence; moderately sol in hot alcohol and in glacial acetic acid; almost insol in ether, in boiling water.

Use

In filters for absorption of ultraviolet light.