Nephroarctin

Nephroarctin
Names
	IUPAC name (3-Methoxy-2,5,6-trimethylphenyl) 3,5-diformyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate
	Other names 3-Methoxy-2,5,6-trimethylphenyl 3,5-diformyl-6-methyl-β-resorcylate
Identifiers
CAS Number	23004-60-6 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChEBI	CHEBI:144177 ;
ChemSpider	519171 ;
PubChem CID	597224;
	InChI InChI=1S/C20H20O7/c1-9-6-15(26-5)12(4)19(10(9)2)27-20(25)16-11(3)13(7-21)17(23)14(8-22)18(16)24/h6-8,23-24H,1-5H3 Key: COJRBNIKTUZKMH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	SMILES O=CC=1C(O)=C(C=O)C(=C(C(=O)OC=2C(=C(OC)C=C(C2C)C)C)C1O)C;
Properties
Chemical formula	C20H20O7
Molar mass	372.373 g·mol−1
Appearance	small rectangular prisms
Melting point	192–201 °C (378–394 °F; 465–474 K)
Solubility in water	Hot benzene, ethyl acetate, acetone, ether, and chloroform; limited solubility in alcohol
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Nephroarctin is a naturally occurring depside compound found in certain foliose lichens, most notably Nephroma arcticum from which it was first isolated in 1969. Along with its related compound phenarctin, it is one of two structurally unusual compounds produced by N. arcticum, both characterised by an uncommonly high number of single-carbon attachments to their core structure. This colourless crystalline substance, with the molecular formula C₂₀H₂₀O₇, consists of two benzene rings connected by an ester linkage and plays a role in the lichen's defensive mechanisms. The compound is particularly concentrated in the thallus tips of N. arcticum and N. occultum, with levels varying seasonally in correlation with photosynthetic activity.