How does Marquis Reagent work?

[Drug Dustbin]

Have you ever pondered it?
Here's one theory I found from one pharmaceutical chemistry textbook.
Unfortunately it's in germany, but may be someone can translate it. I don't have the time and my germany is pretty bad.

http://www.angelfire.com/pokemon/drugdustbin/marquis.gif
[This message has been edited by Drug Dustbin (edited 30 July 2000).]

 

[BigTrancer]

Literal Translation (through babelfish.altavista.com) It's far from good but maybe it might help you if you're looking for a quick bit of info. I'm sure a German speaking chemist can help you much more

BigTrancer

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Analysis. As a result of the related structures of these connections common analytic proofs (s. tab. 16, P. 104) arise. Iron(III)-chloride forms a colored co-ordination connection with morphine over its phenolic hydroxyl group. This reaction corresponds with Salicylic acid.
Marquis-reagent (formaldehyde/sulfuric acid) is an example of a Halochromic-reaction. This requires three components (three-combination): an aromatic ring with phenolic hydroxyl group, an aldehyde and a concentrated acid (normally conc. H2SO4) as a catalyst and oxidizing agent.
The aldehyde condenses two aromatic rings in o-position to the phenolic hydroxyl group, afterwards (ring conclusion?) is made by the two phenolic OH groups under water splitting, then the developed ring system is dehydrogenated by the conc. sulfuric acid.
The halochromic-reaction becomes with (medicine materials?) both proved from connections with phenolic OH groups, and of connections with Carbonyl function uses.
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[This message has been edited by BigTrancer (edited 31 July 2000).]