Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
![Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F60786.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions
Published on: July 17, 2020
Knipholone and related 4-phenylanthraquinones: structurally, pharmacologically, and biosynthetically remarkable
Gerhard Bringmann1, Joan Mutanyatta-Comar, Michael Knauer
1Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany. bringman@chemie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Abstract:
This review gives the first comprehensive overview of the rapidly emerging young class of 4-phenylanthraquinones isolated from the three genera Bulbine, Bulbinella, and Kniphofia, all from the plant family Aphodelaceae: their occurrence, structural elucidation (with particular emphasis on the phenomenon of axial chirality), partial and total synthesis, their pharmacological (i.a., antimalarial and antitumoral) activities, and their biosynthetic origin (from acetate units). Particular emphasis is given to the stereostructure of knipholone, the most abundant of these naturally occurring phenylanthraquinones. The most recent highlight is the discovery of the first dimeric representatives, named joziknipholones, involving interesting phenomena of--partially or fully restricted--rotation at the sp2-sp2 and sp2-sp3 axes.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox property is crucial in...
Phase I Reactions: Reductive Reactions
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Structure and Nomenclature of Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols are one of the most important functional groups in organic chemistry. The name of alcohol comes from the hydrocarbon from which it is derived. Alcohols are organic molecules containing the functional hydroxyl or –OH group directly bonded to carbon. Phenols have an OH group directly attached to a benzene ring. While alcohols are colorless, phenol is a white crystalline compound with a characteristic "hospital smell" odor.
As with other organic compounds, alcohols and phenols...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

