Skip to main content

Forskolin

ADVERTISEMENT
Identification
Molecular formula
C22H34O7
CAS number
66575-29-9
IUPAC name
[3-[5-[3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]oxy-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran-2-yl] 3-[6-[3,4-dihydroxy-5-(6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-octa-2,7-dienoyl)oxy-6-methyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-octa-2,7-dienoyl]oxy-10-[6-[[4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxytetrahydropyran-2-yl)oxy-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxymethyl]-3,4,5-trihydroxy-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylate
State
State

At room temperature, forskolin is typically a solid.

Melting point (Celsius)
228.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
501.15
Boiling point (Celsius)
654.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
927.15
General information
Molecular weight
410.49g/mol
Molar mass
410.4940g/mol
Density
1.3000g/cm3
Appearence

Forskolin appears as an off-white to brown powder. It is generally crystalline in nature, although the exact color and crystalline structure can depend on the purity and form in which forskolin is isolated.

Comment on solubility

Solubility Overview

The solubility of the compound 3-[5-[3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]oxy-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-tetrahydropyran-2-yl] 3-[6-[3,4-dihydroxy-5-(6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-octa-2,7-dienoyl)oxy-6-methyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-octa-2,7-dienoyl]oxy-10-[6-[[4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxytetrahydropyran-2-yl)oxy-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxymethyl]-3,4,5-trihydroxy-tetrahydropyran-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylate (C22H34O7) is influenced by various factors.

Key Aspects of Solubility

  • Polarity: The presence of multiple hydroxyl groups (–OH) suggests that the compound may be polar, potentially enhancing solubility in polar solvents such as water.
  • Hydroxymethyl Groups: These groups may enhance interactions with water, possibly leading to increased solubility compared to similar compounds lacking these functional groups.
  • Molecular Complexity: With its intricate structure and numerous functional groups, predicting solubility can be complex; however, general principles of solubility state that "like dissolves like," which means the compound may preferentially dissolve in similarly polar solvents.
  • Hydrophobic Regions: Additionally, the presence of hydrophobic carbon chains might limit its solubility in highly polar solvents, introducing a balance in solubility characteristics.

In conclusion, the solubility of this compound is expected to be significantly affected by its structure, especially the balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Experimental data would provide the best insight into its actual solubility profile.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts about the Compound

This compound, with a notably complex structure, represents a remarkable example of the diversity found in organic chemistry. Its intricate network of tetrahydropyran and tetrahydrofuran rings illustrates *nature's ability to combine simple building blocks into complex molecules*. Here are some key highlights:

  • Bioactive Potential: Compounds like this one often exhibit biological activity, making them of great interest in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Natural Products: This compound may be related to natural products found in various plants, which can lead to novel drug discovery.
  • Structure-Activity Relationship: The multiple hydroxyl groups suggest that this molecule can engage in hydrogen bonding, which may enhance its solubility and reactivity.
  • Chiral Centers: The presence of multiple chiral centers in its structure emphasizes the importance of stereochemistry in determining the activity and interaction of biological molecules.
  • Research Applications: Compounds with such elaborate structures often serve as templates for synthetic chemists aiming to develop new materials or pharmaceuticals.

"The challenge in organic chemistry is not just to synthesize a molecule, but to understand its role–in nature, in the body, and in the broader context of scientific progress." This complex compound exemplifies that challenge.

Overall, the study of such intricate compounds encourages the *exploration of molecular interactions* and broadens our understanding of chemical functionality in biology.