Lyofolic acid was reinvestigated by silica gel column chromatography and it was found to be contaminated with two minor components, one of which was identified as deacetyllyofolic acid. The molecular formula of lyofolic acid was revised as C38H62O11·2H2O. Alkaline hydrolysis of lyofolic acid gave a deacetylated compound, C36H60O10·3H2O, which was proved identical with one of the minor components. Hydrolysis of lyofolic acid with methanolic hydrogen chloride yielded lyofoligenic acid, C30H50O5, and glucose, and the signal of acetoxyl group disappeared in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of its aglycone. Genic acid contains one cyclopropane ring which has an isolated methylene group [chemical formula], two secondary and one tertiary alcohols, and one carboxylic acid group. Isopropylidene derivative was formed with acetone and p-toluenesulfonic acid between one secondary and one tertiary hydroxyl groups, [chemical formula].
