8189. Rhododendrin

Nomenclature

CAS number: 497-78-9
3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylpropyl β-d-glucopyranoside; betuloside.
C16H24O7; mol wt 328.36.
C 58.52%, H 7.37%, O 34.11%.

Description and references

From leaves of Rhododendron spp., Ericaceae: Archangelski, Arch. Exp. Pathol. Pharmakol. 46, 313 (1901); Kawaguchi et al., J. Pharm. Soc. Jpn. 62, 4 (1942), C.A. 44, 9634a (1950). Structure: Kim, ibid. 455, C.A. 45, 4222h (1951). Identity with betuloside: Kim, ibid. 63, 103 (1943), C.A. 45, 4222i (1951). Chemotaxonomic significance: Thieme, Winkler, Pharmazie 24, 703 (1969).

Chemical structure

Properties

Bitter crystals, mp 187°. Sol in hot water, alcohol; slightly sol in chloroform, ether.

Derivative

Pentaacetate.

Properties

Needles, mp 96-97°.

Derivative

Methyl ether.

Properties

Prisms from warm water, mp 102-103°. [α]D21 -17.1° (96% alcohol).

Use

In systematic classification of Rhododendron species.