Die Struktur von Mimulaxanthin / The Structure of Mimulaxanthin

Abstract

Abstract Mimulaxanthin, a xanthophyll from the petals of Mimulus guttatus (Monkey flower), has the structure of a 6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro,β,β-carotene-3,5,3′,5′-tetrol. This was con­ firmed by mass, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectra. The pigment yielded a diacetate, diacetate-di (trimethylsilyl)-ether, and a diether with acidified methanol. The free or acetylated pigment was transformed into the diacetylenic xanthophyll alloxanthin (7,8,7′,8′-tetra-dehydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol) or alloxanthin-diacetate with acidic acetone.