Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

High-resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Studying Chemical Constituents of Gynura bicolor DC
Published on: February 2, 2024
A new dihydrodibenzodioxinone from Hypericum x 'Hidcote'
Longru Sun1, M Mukhlesur Rahman, Brian W Skelton
1Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
Researchers identified a novel compound from Hypericum x 'Hidcote'. This discovery, alongside eight known compounds, expands our understanding of plant-derived natural products.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Phytochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- The genus Hypericum is known for its diverse secondary metabolites with potential biological activities.
- Hybridization in plants, such as Hypericum x 'Hidcote', can lead to unique chemical profiles.
- Isolation and characterization of novel compounds contribute to the understanding of plant chemical diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Hypericum x 'Hidcote'.
- To identify any new compounds and determine their structures and absolute configurations.
- To contribute to the phytochemical knowledge of the Hypericum genus.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of aerial parts of Hypericum x 'Hidcote'.
- Chromatographic techniques for compound isolation.
- Spectroscopic analyses, including 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- X-ray crystallographic analysis for structural elucidation and absolute configuration determination.
Main Results:
- Isolation of one new compound, 4-hydroxy-4a,7-dimethoxy-4,4a-dihydrodibenzo-p-dioxin-2(3H)-one (1).
- Identification of eight known compounds: caryophyllene-4,5-epoxide, quercetin, quercitrin, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, epicatechin, betulinic acid methyl ester, beta-sitosterol, and beta-sitosterol glucoside.
- Complete structural and absolute configuration determination of the new compound using spectroscopic and X-ray data.
Conclusions:
- A novel dibenzo-p-dioxin derivative was discovered in Hypericum x 'Hidcote'.
- The study expands the known phytochemical inventory of Hypericum species.
- The characterized compounds provide a basis for further investigation into their potential properties.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Diols and Pinacol Rearrangement
The reaction begins with transferring a proton from the acid catalyst to one of the hydroxyl groups, producing an oxonium ion.
Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of X2 to 1,3-Butadiene
Stability of Conjugated Dienes
A comparison of the enthalpies of hydrogenation of dienes reveals that conjugated dienes release less heat on hydrogenation, rendering them more stable than their nonconjugated analogs.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene
[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction