THE STRUCTURE OF TAUTOMYCETIN, A DIALKYLMALEIC ANHYDRIDE ANTIBIOTIC

Abstract

The chemical structure of tautomycetin (C₃₃H₅₀O₁₀) was determined by chemical degradation and spectroscopic evidence. Tautomycetin exists in methanol - buffer solution (1% diethylamine - formic acid, pH7.3) as an equilibrium mixture of a 2, 3-dialkylmaleic anhydride and its dicarboxylic acid. The structure of tautomycetin is similar to tautomycin in many respects.