STUDYING MODIFICATION OF STICTIC ACID UNDER AlCl3 CATALYST IN DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE SOLVENT

Stictic acid, a depsidone in many lichen species, is a potentially bioactive compound. Derivatives of stictic acid were synthesised by halogenation or esterification. However, the effects of these conditions on the decomposition of stictic acid have yet to be studied. Hence, the modification of stictic acid was investigated using an AlCl3 catalyst and dimethylformamide solvent. The results showed that approximately 20% of the stictic acid yield was transformed into other compounds in these media. The decomposition of stictic acid is due to lactone ring-opening by the AlCl3 catalyst or the dimethylamine produced by the reaction of AlCl3 and dimethylformamide. *