Xanthopterin

• 2-amino- 3H, 5H- pteridin -4 ,6- dione
• 2 -amino-1 ,5-dihydro -4 ,6- pteridindion

Orange-yellow crystals

Fixed

> 360 ° C ( decomposition)

• Insoluble in water
• Soluble in dilute ammonia and caustic soda

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Xanthopterin is a heterocyclic compound which is derived from the pterin. It occurs as a yellow Pterinpigment on, for example, in butterfly wings, Frederick Gowland Hopkins in 1889 from which such dyes extracted first. Heinrich Otto Wieland and Clemens scoop isolated xanthopterin 1924, the wings of the brimstone butterfly in pure form. The structure elucidation of Xanthopterins was granted in 1940 by Robert Purrmann.

Xanthopterin is also common in other insects and organisms; it is found in wasps and in human urine. Various microorganisms can be produced from xanthopterin folic acid.

Properties

A crystal structure analysis of xanthopterin is not yet available because of the difficulty to grow suitable crystals. However xanthopterin hydrochloride was studied by X-ray: it shows the depicted 4,6- dioxo structure, the protonation of the N ( 3).

Xanthopterin is relatively easily oxidized, Leukopterin caused by oxygenation at C-7.

Syntheses

Purrmann received xanthopterin of 2,4,5 -triamino -6- hydroxypyrimidine and dichloroacetic acid in two synthetic steps, Koschara in one step with glyoxylic acid.