IDENTIFICATION OF ISOTOPICALLY MANIPULATED CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE AND BENZALDEHYDE

Cinnamic aldehyde and benzaldehyde samples were isolated from botanical sources and compared to labeled isolates from natural origins and those synthetically produced. Products synthesized from petrochemical precursors yielded δ13C and δD values uniquely different from those of botanical derivation. Upon further comparison with the radiocarbon (14C) activities it was possible to define average δ13C and δD isotopic values for the naturally derived cinnamic aldehyde (-27.6 ± 0.6 and -116 ± 8, respectively) and benzaldehyde samples (-28.6 ± 0.5 and -105 ± 5, respectively) and the synthetically derived cinnamic aldehyde (—25.4 ± 0.3 and 517 ± 52, respectively, via toluene oxidation) and benzaldehyde samples (-29.2 ± 0.8 and -54 ± 11, respectively, via benzal chloride and -26.1 ± 0.6 and 576 ± 73, respectively, via toluene oxidation). It is also revealed by comparison of isotopic values for certain synthetically derived compounds that δ14C manipulation of simulated natural products has occurred. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.