Pinosylvin methyl ether

Stilbenes (from the Greek stilbos, glistening, after shiny crystals), are two-ring structures of the C6-C2-C6 type examples are pinosylvin and pinosylvin methyl ether (Fig. 11.2). They play a role as antifeedants for mammals. 

Green alder J versus M internodes Snowshoe hare J has more pinosylvin and pinosylvin methyl ether Clausen etfl/., 1986... 

Particularly valuable and/or vulnerable parts are protected best. Because of their size and seasonal changes, trees provide instructive examples. In green alder, Alnus crispa, defense compounds, such as pinosylvin, pinosylvin methyl ether and papyriferic acid, are concentrated in buds (2.6% of dry weight) and catkins (1.7%), and least abundant in the internodes (0.05%). Snowshoe hares, L. americanus, reject buds and catkins, while they eat second-year internodes (Bryant etu/., 1983 Clausen eta/., 1986). 

In the first practical application of plant antifeedants for forest crop protection and wildlife management, snowshoe hare, L. americanus, fed less on coniferous tree seedlings after they had been sprayed with pinosylvin or pinosylvin methyl ether (Sullivan eta/., 1992). 

Bryant, J. P., Wieland, G. D., Reichardt, P. B., Lewis, V. E., and McCarthy, M. C. (1983). Pinosylvin methyl ether deters snowshoe hare feeding on green alder. Science 222, 1023-1025. 

Some natural sources are particularly rich in phenolic compounds of stilbene type. The heartwood of several Pinus spp. contains considerable amounts of pinosylvin. 3,4,3, 4 -Tetrahydroxystilbene (piceatannol) (23, 50) and its 3-methyl ether are significant constituents of the bark of Norway spruce Picea abies) (23, 50 K. Sunnerheim and O. Theander, personal communication). The heartwood of laburnum Laburnum alpinum) is remarkable in its content of stilbenes since it contains up to 4% by dry weight of the 3,4,3, 5 -tetrahydroxystilbene (37). 

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