In phorbol and partial acetates of phorbol the hydroxyl groups in the 20-, 13-, 12- and 4-positions can be etherified with one of the following methods: diazoalkane/Al-i-propylate, tritylchloride/pyridine and methyl-iodide/silveroxide. The investigation of suitable phorbol ethers with Fehling's and Tollens' reagent proves that the tertiary hydroxyl at the cyclopropane ring is solely responsible for the reducing properties of phorbol. Thus, phorbol is the first natural compound in which this reaction of tertiary cyclopropanols was detected.
在茴香酮和部分茴香酮的羟基在20-、13-、12-和4-位置可以通过以下方法之一醚化:重氮烷/异丙基化铝、三苯甲基氯化物/吡啶和甲基碘化物/氧化银。对适合的茴香酮醚与费林试剂和托伦斯试剂的研究证明,环丙烷环上的三级羟基是茴香酮还原性质的唯一来源。因此,茴香酮是第一个发现具有这种三级环丙醇反应的天然化合物。