5606. Lunularic Acid

Nomenclature

CAS number: 23255-59-6
2-Hydroxy-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]benzoic acid; 6-(p-hydroxyphenethyl)salicylic acid.
C15H14O4; mol wt 258.27.
C 69.76%, H 5.46%, O 24.78%.

Description and references

Dihydrostilbene growth inhibitor isolated from liverworts and algae. Isoln from Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum., Lunulariaceae, and characterization: I. F. M. Valio et al., Nature 223, 1178 (1969); I. F. M. Valio, W. W. Schwab, J. Exp. Bot. 21, 138 (1970); from more than 70 species of liverwort: J. Gorham, Phytochemistry 16, 249 (1977); from cultures of Marchantia polymorphia: S. Abe, Y. Ohta, ibid. 22, 1917 (1983). Synthesis: Y. Arai et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1972, 1615; S. Haneck, K. Schreiber, DD 126866 (1977 to Akad. Wissenschaft. D.D.R.), C.A. 88, 152249t (1978). Effect on liverwort growth: J. Gorham, Phytochemistry 17, 99 (1978). Metabolism by L. cruciata: R. J. Pryce, ibid. 11, 1355 (1972).

Chemical structure

Properties

Pale yellow crystals from methanol/water, mp 192°. uv max in neutral ethanol: 280, 287, 308 nm (ε 3300, 3600, 4200); in weakly alkaline ethanol: 300 nm (ε 6600).

Use

Growth inhibitor for lower plants.