N-alkanes from chilean euphorbiaceae and compositae species

Abstract

The distribution pattern of n-alkanes in the ‘refined hydrocarbon’ fractions from four species of Compositae (Lactuca serriola, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officinale, Tessaria absinthioides) and six species of Euphorbiaceae (Adenopeltis serrata, Euphorbia copiapina, E. lactiflua, Colliqua a dombeyana, C. odorifera, C. salicefolia) was studied. Using well-established techniques, n-alkanes of the homologous series C 19- C 33 were identified. The major constituents were n-heptacosane (n-C 27) and n-nonacosane ( n-C 29). Significant dominance of odd over even numbered chains and the absence of any significant quantity of branched alkanes wasalso found. The two species of Euphorbia showed different distribution pattern of n-alkanes. In two species of Colliguaja (C. salicifolia and C. odorifera). the major component was n-C 27 with smaller amounts of n-C 29, but in C. dombeyana the reverse occurred.