p-Quinone Methide-Mediated Nonenzymatic Formation of Chalcane-Containing Dimers in Dragon's Blood

Org Lett. 2022 Dec 23;24(50):9275-9280. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c03850. Epub 2022 Dec 13.

Abstract

Chalcane-containing dimers are major compounds identified from dragon's blood, the red resin that accumulates in Dracaena trees after injury. The key step for the formation of these dimers was a p-quinone methide (p-QM, 3) mediated nonenzymatic Michael addition. Compound 3 is derived from the spontaneous dehydration of chalcane alcohol-M274 (2). Two dihydroflavonol-4-reductases, discovered in D. cambodiana, reduce dihydrochalcone-M272 (7) to 2. Moreover, the application potential of p-QMs was demonstrated using a 3-like p-QM to synthesize diverse dimeric derivatives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dracaena*
  • Indolequinones*
  • Plant Extracts
  • Resins, Plant

Substances

  • dragon's blood
  • quinone methide
  • Plant Extracts
  • Indolequinones
  • Resins, Plant