Die Biosynthese des Digitoxigenins, Herkunft des C‐20. Glykoside und Aglykone, 253. Mitteilung

Abstract

Abstract Mevalonic‐[3‐ 14 C] acid (Ia) has been prepared by partial reduction of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl‐glutari‐[3‐ 14 C] acid. After introduction of the ammonium salt of Ia into Digitalis lanata plants by the vick technique, crist. radioactive digitoxigenin was isolated. This contained a significant amount of radioactivity in C‐20 position. From this, together with results of former authors, it follows that the biosynthesis of digitoxigenin from mevalonic acid (probably via squalene) proceeds through a pregnane derivative. The latter needs only one molecule of acetate to form the butenolide ring.