Juglone

June 06, 2022
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Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione) is a naturally occurring naphthoquinone derivative that has been known for more than a century. In 1905, French scientists M. Brissemoret and R. Combes reported that juglone exists in the green portions of walnut trees (leaves, stems, and husks). Their report cites articles from 1884. In 1887, German chemists August Bernthsen and August Semper described juglone’s structure and its synthesis from naphthalene.

Juglone is found in many species of the walnut family (Juglandaceae), particularly in eastern American black walnut (Juglans nigra). The compound serves as a defense mechanism against surrounding plants: It can stunt their growth, a process known as allelopathy. Since its discovery, juglone has occasionally been used as an herbicide and an anthelmintic (a group of antiparasitic drugs). It is also ichthyotoxic, and some cultures catch fish by throwing walnut husks into the water.

Juglone is more frequently used as a dye. In its pure form, it has a yellow color; but when it is exposed to oxygen, it turns orange, red, or, mainly, brown. As a dye, it is known as C.I. Natural Brown 7, a classification of the database Colour Index International. It is used to dye fabrics, cosmetics, and even foods, despite its properties listed in the hazard information table. It is chemically related to henna.

To learn how the naphthalene-like structure of juglone is biosynthesized, read the 2018 Horticulture Research article by Joshua R. Widhalm and co-workers at Purdue University.

Juglone hazard information*

Hazard class**GHS code and hazard statement
Acute toxicity, oral, category 3H301—Toxic if swallowedChemical Safety Warning
Skin corrosion/irritation, category 2H315—Causes skin irritationChemical Safety Warning
Serious eye damage/eye irritation, category 2AH319—Causes serious eye irritationChemical Safety Warning
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, respiratory tract irritation, category 3H335—May cause respiratory irritationChemical Safety Warning
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, narcotic effects, category 3H336—May cause drowsiness or dizzinessChemical Safety Warning

*Compilation of multiple safety data sheets.
**Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Explanation of pictograms.

Molecules from the journals

Rucaparib1 is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that combats cancer. In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration approved its use for treating ovarian cancer; and in 2020, it was approved for treating prostate cancer. This March, Jinjae Park and Cheol-Hong Cheon* at Korea University (Seoul) reported a three-step total synthesis of rucaparib from commercially available starting materials in 54% overall yield.

Bromonitromethane2 (BrCH2NO2), a C1 molecule with two functional groups, has been known since 1915. It is a versatile reagent that is used to synthesize nitrogen heterocycles, nitrocyclopropanes, and enantiopure amines, amides, and peptides. Recently, BrCH2NO2 has been in short supply, compelling Jeffrey N. Johnston and colleagues at Vanderbilt University (Nashville) to develop a large-scale synthesis of the reagent. They optimized existing methods to create a concise procedure in which nitromethane is treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide and sodium bromide, followed by bromine addition, to produce BrCH2NO2 in >70% yield with minimal formation of the dibromonitromethane side product.

1. CAS Reg. No. 283173-50-2.
2. CAS Reg. No. 563-70-2.

Molecules from the Journals

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Juglone fast facts

CAS Reg. No.481-39-0
SciFinder
nomenclature
1,4-Naphthalenedione, 5-hydroxy-
Empirical formulaC10H6O3
Molar mass174.15 g/mol
AppearanceYellow to brown crystals or powder
Melting point161–163 °C
Water solubility2–5 g/L (est.)
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