2-Geranyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, a possible intermediate of anthraquinones in a Sesamum indicum hairy root culture.

2-Geranyl-1,4-naphthoquinone was isolated from the hairy root culture of Sesamum indicum. The structure was determined to be 2-[(E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-1,4-naphthoquinone on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and chemical synthesis. The production of anthrasesamones A, B and C by the hairy root culture was also confirmed for the first time.