Diacetylenic isobutylamides of Echinacea: synthesis and natural distribution.

The syntheses of three diacetylenic isobutylamides of Echinacea angustifolia have been achieved by direct synthetic routes by way of a common intermediate. The key step is the alkylation of the anion of the silylated diacetylene. We report the presence of all three diacetylenic isobutylamides in six of the nine Echinacea species: E. angustifolia, E. sanguinea, E. simulata, E. tennesseensis, E. atrorubens and E. laevigata. The accumulation of these amides is sensitive to organ type and age. Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ltd.