CHAPTER 12
Quinones: Structure and Distribution
R. H. THOMSON
Chemistry Department, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
I. Introduction
II. Distribution of Quinones in Nature
A. The Plant Kingdon1
B. The Anhnal Kingdon1 .
III. Biogenesis of Quinones
A. Shikimic Acid Route .
B. Acetate Route
C. Isoprenoid Quinones .
References
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70B
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I. Introduction
The quinones form a large group of natural coloring matters with
representatives in several phyla, the majority being found in flowering
plants and fungi. They are more numerous, more varied in structure, and
more widely distributed (carotenoids and melanins excepted) than
other classes of natural pigments. The major sources are listed in Table
I; a few others, found in different phyla, are discussed later. Little
systematic work has been done on the natural distribution of quinones,
and it is likely that further search will extend the range of these pigTABLE I
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION OF QUINONES
Source
Approximate
number of
quinones
Plant kingdom
Flowering plants
80
Fungi
55
Lichens
10
Bacteria
15
Animal kingdom
Arthropoda (mainly insects)
15
Echinodermata (mainly sea urchins)
15
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