The ground bark of Diospyros maritima gave on extraction with ether a mixture of several substances, three of which were isolated in a crystalline and pure form. The first substance had a melting point of 216°C, was colourless, insoluble in alkali and had the composition C20H32O. Acetylation led to the isolation of a product with a melting point of 232°C; an acetyl determination did not give satisfactory results. The second substance isolated from the extract turned out to be identical with scopoletin, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-coumarin. Several derivatives have been prepared. The third substance proved to be identical with plumbagin, 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-napthoquinone, the active principle of Plumbago species. A review of several uses of Plumbago roots in India, Malayan States and Java is given. The relation to vitamin K is discussed.
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