Isolation of isovanillin from aromatic roots of the medicinal African liane, Mondia whitei

Abstract

A methylene chloride extract of Mondia whitei (Hook.f.) Skeels yielded 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (isovanillin). Chemical structures of the constituents were determined by comparing 1H NMR spectra to that of known compounds. Although the 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde had been isolated previously from Mondia whitei, isovanillin had not been observed in the plant.