Studies in the biochemistry of micro-organisms

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Abstract
Catenarin, C15H10O6, which constitutes over 15% of the dry wt. of the mycelium of H. catenarium, gives Fran-gula-emodin, 4,5,7-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone, on reduction with HI and red phosphorus, followed by oxidation with chromic acid of the resulting anthranol. Catenarin tetramethyl ether, on oxidation with chromic acid, yields a mixture of 4-methyl-3,6-dimethoxyphthalic anhydride (the synthesis of which is descr.) and 3,5-dimethoxyphthalic anhydride. These, and other exptl. facts previously es- tablished, determine the constitution of catenarin as 1,4,5,7-tetrahydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone. Erythroglaucin, C16H12O6, a metabolic product of spp. in the A. glaucus series, is the 7-methyl ether of catenarin, i.e., 1,4,5-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methylanthraquinone. It was prepd., in good yield, by methylating catenarin with methyl iodide and Na methoxide in methanol soln.