Instability of some trichothecenes in methanol.

Stability of 8 trichothecenes stored in methanol at room temperature was studied by thin layer chromatography. Results indicate that the trichothecenes which bear an acetoxy group at both C3 and C4 are very susceptible to methanolysis. In the early stage, the acetoxy group at C3 is most favorable for the transesterification. All trichothecenes tested were transformed to several products after prolonged (22 days) exposure to methanol.