Ortho-phthalic acid esters in lipophilic extract from the cell culture of Aconitum baicalense Turcz ex Rapaics 1907.

Optically active bis-2R(-)ethylhexyl o-phthalate was obtained with 0.18% yield from dry cultured cells of Aconitum baicalense Turcz ex Rapaics 1907 by extraction with petroleum ether followed by silica gel column chromatography. Its structure was confirmed by the analysis of (13)C and (1)H NMR spectra. Seasonal fluctuations of quantitative phthalate content in A. baicalense cells were identified. The tests were performed under conditions excluding the presence of phthalates in reagents, materials, and laboratory dishes. The same substance was shown to be produced by cultivated cells of other plants. Biosynthesis of esters of ortho-phthalic acid by cultivated plant cells was discovered for the first time.