title: Naphthaquinones of Diospyros batocana.
abstract: Root bark of West African tree Diospyros batocana Hiern, Ebenaceae, was examined. On the basis of chromatographic and spectral analysis it was shown to contain the naphtaquinones 7-methyljuglone, 2-methylnaphthazarin, biramentaceone, rotundiquinone, mamegakinone, diospyrin, diosquinone, isodiospyrin and batocanone. This last compound proved to be the (-)-enantiomer of isodiospyrin-2', 3'-epoxide. The probable existence of beta-dihydrodiospyrin, of a batocanone isomer and of an isodiospyrin diepoxide in this material is mentioned. The partial synthesis of two isomeric isodiospyrin di-epoxides is described.
authors.affiliation: Center of Organic Chemistry, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Oporto University, Portugal.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Paul