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A Study of the Boron Trifluoride Complexes of Some Carotenoid Hydrocarbons and the Products of their Hydrolytic and Alcoholytic Cleavage

Citation

Bush, Warren Van Ness (1958) A Study of the Boron Trifluoride Complexes of Some Carotenoid Hydrocarbons and the Products of their Hydrolytic and Alcoholytic Cleavage. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/N1HM-3215. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-10072004-100851

Abstract

Formation of a deeply-colored [alpha]-carotene - boron trifluoride complex, by means of boron trifluoride etherate, and subsequent hydrolysis of the complex result mainly in the formation of 4-hydroxy-[alpha]-carotene, indicating that, under the conditions applied, only the [beta]-ionone end of the complex is reactive; ethanolysis gave the corresponding ethoxy derivative. The structures of these two compounds and some of the other reaction products were clarified. On this basis the structure of the BF3-complex has also been established, and a mechanism for its hydrolysis and alcoholysis was postulated. The length of the resonating system within the proposed complex is consistent with the observed deep blue color. Lycopene and [gamma]-carotene were studied along similar lines. The observed formation of 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrolycopene by hydrolysis of the lycopene complex can be explained by means of a structure and a hydrolysis mechanism both similar to those of the [alpha]-carotene complex. The formation of 4-hydroxy-[gamma]-carotene by hydrolysis of the [gamma]-carotene complex is in accordance with an analogous structure and hydrolysis mechanism. The [beta]-ionone end of the [gamma]-carotene complex appears to be more reactive than the [psi]-ionone end. The cis-trans isomerization of 4-hydroxy-, 4-keto-, and 4-ethoxy-[alpha]-carotene as well as 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrolycopene was studied.

Item Type: Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords: (Chemistry and Chemical Engineering)
Degree Grantor: California Institute of Technology
Division: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option: Chemistry
Minor Option: Chemical Engineering
Thesis Availability: Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Zechmeister, Laszlo
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date: 1 January 1958
Record Number: CaltechETD:etd-10072004-100851
Persistent URL: https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-10072004-100851
DOI: 10.7907/N1HM-3215
Default Usage Policy: No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code: 3964
Collection: CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On: 07 Oct 2004
Last Modified: 13 Oct 2023 23:46

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