HPLC of Thiophenes for Phytochemical and Biochemical Research

Abstract

Thiophene derivatives are known from either synthetic or natural sources. Their occurrence in the Asteraceae family and in certain fungi is well documented (Bohlmann et al. 1973). They may be roughly classified by subdivision into mono-, di-, and terthiophenes; thiophene ring systems of naturally occurring compounds are usually connected at the 2,2′-positions. By substitution with various functional groups to thiophenes, a high diversity of chemical characters can be obtained; the most striking feature about natural thiophenes is the substitution with acetylenic side chains. For these reasons, most different chemical characteristics regarding solubility (polarity), distinct spectral properties as well as a remarkable instability (see below) of most of these compounds may be explained.