2. Academic Validation
  3. 6-alkylsalicylic acids and 6-alkylresorcylic acids from ants in the genus Crematogaster from Brunei

6-alkylsalicylic acids and 6-alkylresorcylic acids from ants in the genus Crematogaster from Brunei

  • J Chem Ecol. 2005 Feb;31(2):407-17. doi: 10.1007/s10886-005-1349-6.
T H Jones 1,  S R Brunner,  A A Edwards,  D W Davidson,  R R Snelling
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Chemistry, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia 24450, USA. jonesth@vmi.edu
PMID: 15856792 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-005-1349-6
Abstract

The defensive chemistry of two species of ants from Brunei in the genus Crematogaster (Physocrema group) has been investigated. Ants in this group release a white secretion from hypertrophied metapleural glands on their thorax when they are disturbed. Previously, one species in this group has been shown to produce alkylphenols and alkylresorcinols. In the present investigation, similar compounds along with salicylic acids and resorcylic acids that are anacardic acid and olivetolic acid homologs, respectively, are described from two species. The structures of these compounds were suggested by their spectroscopic data and confirmed by direct comparison with synthetic samples. Some of these compounds occur in lichens and have well documented physiological activities.

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