Summary
Pongamol, which is the second important crystalline component of the pongamia oil, has the molecular formula C18H14O4 and contains a methoxyl group. It has also a phenolic or enolic hydroxyl group. Demethylation with aluminium chloride yields nor-pongamol whereas treatment with hydriodic acid gives rise to a product which is probably isomeric but does not possess phenolic properties. Treatment with bromine produces a tetrabromo derivative which on boiling with acetone yields a tribromo compound. Oxidation with potassium permanganate or decomposition with alkali yields benzoic acid. From these properties and from colour reactions it is suggested that pongamol is a flavone derivative containing a hydroxyl, a methoxyl and an ethylene double bond.
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References
Rangaswami and SeshadriCurr. Sci., 1940, 179.
—Indian J. Pharm., 1941,3, 3.
WilsonJ. Am. C. S., 1939, 2303.
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Rangaswami, S., Seshadri, T.R. Chemistry of pongamol. Part I. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 15, 417–423 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03051828
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03051828