Issue 3, 1998

Synthesis of carminic acid, the colourant principle of cochineal

Abstract

The first synthesis of carminic acid (7β-D-glucopyranosyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carboxylic acid) is described. Selective C-glycosylation at the 7-position of ethyl and benzyl 3,5,8,9,10-pentamethoxy-1-methylanthracene-2-carboxylates with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-trifluoroacetyl-α-D-glucopyranose afforded intermediates which were oxidised to ethyl and benzyl 3,5,8-trimethoxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-(2′,3′,4′,6′-tetra-O-benzyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carboxylate respectively. The benzyl compound was hydrogenolysed and the ethyl analogue hydrogenolysed and hydrolysed to give the same product, which was tetraacetylated and demethylated to afford 6-deoxycarminic acid tetraacetate, 3,5,8-trihydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-(2′,3′,4′,6′-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carboxylic acid. The pentamethoxy intermediates were obtained from 2-chloronaphthazarin by Diels–Alder addition to 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2,4-bis(trimethylsiloxy)penta-2,4-dienes to give alkyl 6-deoxykermesates. Methylation afforded the corresponding trimethyl ethers, which by reductive methylation gave the required pentamethoxy compounds. By known steps 6-deoxycarminic acid tetraacetate was converted into the 5,8,9,10-bisquinone, acetoxylation of which gave carminic acid octaacetate. Acidic hydrolysis afforded carminic acid.

Article information

Article type
Paper

J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 1998, 575-582

Synthesis of carminic acid, the colourant principle of cochineal

P. Allevi, M. Anastasia, S. Bingham, P. Ciuffreda, A. Fiecchi, G. Cighetti, M. Muir, A. Scala and J. Tyman, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 1998, 575 DOI: 10.1039/A705145J

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