Studies on the Components of Digenea simplex Ag. VII.

Studies on the Related Compounds of Kainic Acid. (2)

Abstract

The aqueous extract of Digenea simplex Ag. yielded, besides the amino acid already reported, two substances which give yellow ninhydrin reaction. One of them was isolated as colorless, long needles, m.p. 275° (decomp.), C₁₀H₁₅O₄N⋅H₂O, which was confirmed, by paper chromatography, infrared spectral analysis, and mixed fusion, to be α-kainic lactone, obtained by the acid treatment of kainic acid. By saponification, the lactone was derived to hydroxykainic acid, C₁₀H₁₇O₅N, as colorless needles, m.p. 260° (decomp.).