title: Structure and formation of the fluorescent compound of Lignum nephriticum.
abstract: The intense blue fluorescence of the infusion of Lignum nephriticum (Eysenhardtia polystachya), first observed in the sixteenth century, is due to a novel four-ring tetrahydromethanobenzofuro[2,3-d]oxacine which is not present in the plant but is the end product of an unusual, very efficient iterative spontaneous oxidation of at least one of the tree's flavonoids.
authors: Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, CSIC, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain. roculises@iqfr.csic.es
authors: A Ulises
authors: AU
authors: Acuña
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Amat-Guerri
authors: Purificación
authors: P
authors: Morcillo
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Liras
authors: Benjamín
authors: B
authors: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; C542616:matlaline