A new warfarin metabolite: structure and function

Abstract
The metabolism of the clinically utilized, anticoagulant warfarin [4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one] by rat liver microsomes was investigated. The structure of a new warfarin metabolite [4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenyl-1-butenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one] (dehydrowarfarin) was determined by mass spectral comparison with the chemically synthesized compound. Formation of dehydrowarfarin was catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 and was unusual in that the final product was effectively dehydrogenated warfarin.