Phytochemical examination of Pericopsis species

Abstract

From the heartwood extractives of P. mooniana Thw., P. elata Harms., P. laxiflora Benth., P. schliebenii Harms., and P. angolensis Baker, seventeen natural products were isolated, of which one, (R)-2-O-methylangolensin, is a new member of the monotypic α-methyldeoxybenzoin class. Natural 4′,7-dihydroxyisoflavanone was obtained for the first time and shown to have the R-configuration. The structures of the extractives have been examined by physical methods and the new compounds have been synthesised. The bark of P. schliebenii was found to contain N-methylcytisine. The relevance of the compilation to the proposed reduction of Afrormosia to Pericopsis is discussed.