Studies in the Biochemistry of Micro-organisms. Part XV.—The Molecular Structure of Citrinin

Abstract

The present communication is, in effect, a discussion of the results obtained in the investigation of citrinin, and described in the preceding memoir (Part XIV ); these results, combined with some few further observations, appear to afford a key to the constitution of the substance. In considering this matter, it is convenient to start with the dihydric phenol, C 9 H 12 O 2 (I) (p. 290), which was obtained by fusing either of the isomeric products A or B (p. 283) with potassium hydroxide. This dihydric phenol has the composition of a dihydroxypropylbenzene, but the relative position of the hydroxyl groups and the arrangement of the alkyl side-chain or chains is unknown. The colour reaction with ferric chloride is, however, in agreement with the view that the substance is a resorcinol derivative, rather less well in harmony with the catechol hypothesis, and is hardly reconcilable with the assumption of a quinol nucleus.