Betulic Acid and Betulin, the Triterpenoid Constituents of Dillenia Indica Linn.

The triterpenic components occurring in the trunk-bark of \(Dillenia\) \(indica\) Linn. have been shown to be betulic acid, C₃₀H₄₈O₃. and betulin, C₃₀H₅₀O₂. respectively. The ultraviolet, infrared, and high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectra of the acid and its derivatives have been studied besides various degradative ex­periments. Its identity with betulic acid has been subsequently established from a comparison of the X-ray diffraction pattern of its methyl ester with that of an authentic sample of methyl betulats. The betulic acid isolated from D. \(Indica\) on reduction with LAH produces its congener, betulin, in quantitative yield.