Studies in the biochemistry of micro-organisms

Abstract

Cynodontin, a metabolic product of different spp. of Helminthosporium, has been synthesized. 4-Methyl-3,6-dimethoxyphthalic anhydride was condensed with 1,4-di-methoxybenzene and the resulting acid was simultaneously demethylated and converted into l,4,5,8-tetrahydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone by heating with conc. H2SO4. The synthetic and natural products are identical.