[Chemical studies of coumarins from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch]

This paper reports the isolation and identification of eight crystalline substances (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Besides the known compounds liquiritin, hexacosance, beta-sitosterol, licoricone liquiritigenin and etc, a new constituent, named neoglycyrol was obtained by sillica gel and polyamide column chromatographic method. Its chemical structure was elucidated by means of chemical and spectrometric analysis (UV, IR, NMR and MS). Neoglycyrol, C21H18O6, yellow needles with mp 263.5-265 degrees C, possesses one methoxyl, one isopentenyl and two hydroxyls. Its diacetate derivative is C25H22O8 with mp 202-203.5 degrees C. Its dimethyl ether derivative is C23H22O6 with mp 207-208.5 degrees C. Its structure was found to be VII.