The structure and synthesis of firefly luciferin

EH White, F McCapra, GF Field

Index: White,E.H. et al. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1963 , vol. 85, p. 337 - 343

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Citation Number: 295

Abstract

Luciferin from the common American firefly, Photinus pyralis, was shown to be~-2-(E- hydrox?.-2-benzothiazol-yl)-A2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (XXII). The structure was confirmed by a total synthesis as outlined in the text. L-Luciferin, DL-luciferin, dehydroluciferin and various related benzothiazoles were also synthesized.