Studies on Kojic Acid and its Related γ-Pyrone Componds

Part VIII. Synthesis of Comenic Aicd form Kojic Acid (Synthesis of Maltol (2))

Abstract

An extensive study has been made on the oxidation of the hydroxymethyl group of kojic adid. Benzyl or methyl ether of kojic acid was easily oxidized to the corresponding comenic acid ether by the action of microorganism; the comenic acid ethers were obtained nearly quantitatively from the replacement culture in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2). In addition, hydrogenolysis of the comenic acid ether has been studied. The use of pal-ladium catalyst such as colloidal-Pd or Pd-BaSO₄ gave a comenic acid in good yield.