5454. Leucopterin

Nomenclature

CAS number: 492-11-5
2-Amino-5,8-dihydro-4,6,7(1H)-pteridinetrione; 2-amino-4,6,7-pteridinetriol; 2-amino-4,6,7-trihydroxypteridine; 2-amino-4,6,7-trihydroxypyrimido[4,5-b]pyrazine.
C6H5N5O3; mol wt 195.14.
C 36.93%, H 2.58%, N 35.89%, O 24.60%.

Description and references

A colorless substance found in the wings of butterflies (especially of white-winged butterflies). May be obtained from xanthopterin by dehydrogenation: Wieland, Purrmann, Ann. 544, 172 (1940). Synthesis by fusing 2,4,5-triamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine with an excess of oxalic acid: Purrmann, ibid. 188. See also ref under Xanthopterin and review on pterins by Purrmann, Fortschr. Chem. Org. Naturst. 4, 64 (1945).

Chemical structure

Properties

Fine colorless crystals forming yellow Na and Ag salts, and a sparingly sol NH4 salt. Soluble in alkaline solns with blue fluorescence.