Abstract
A comparative analysis of the venomous alkaloids produced by ant species in the subgenusMonomorium of the genusMonomorium has been undertaken. All species produce mixtures of unsymmetricaltrans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidines, but the proportions of the constituents may vary considerably between species. All alkaloids contain both C6 and C9 side chains which are present as C9-saturated. C6-monounsaturated, and both C6-and C9-monounsaturated dialkylpyrrolidines. The structure of 2-(1-hex-5-enyl)-5-(1-non-8-enyl)pyrrolidine, a previously undescribed alkaloid, was proved by unambiguous synthesis after the location of the double bonds was established by the methoxymercuration-demercuration followed by mass spectrometry. The possible chemotaxonomic significance of the mixtures of venomous alkaloids produced by these species ofMonomorium is discussed.
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Jones, T.H., Blum, M.S., Howard, R.W. et al. Venom chemistry of ants in the genusMonomorium . J Chem Ecol 8, 285–300 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984024