Structure Determination of an Organometallic 1-(Diazenylaryl)ethanol: A Novel Toxin Subclass from the Web of the Spider Nephila clavipes

✍ Scribed by Maurício Ribeiro Marques; Maria Anita Mendes; Cláudio Francisco Tormena; Bibiana M. Souza; Susan P. Ribeiro; Roberto Rittner; Mario S. Palma

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 157 KB
• Volume: 1
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1612-1872
• DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200490065

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

A novel chemical subclass of toxin, [1‐(3‐diazenylphenyl)ethanol]iron, was identified among the compounds present in the web of the spider Nephila clavipes. This type of compound is not common among natural products, mainly in spider‐venom toxins; it was shown to be a potent paralytic and/or lethal toxin applied by the spider over its web to ensure prey capture only by topical application. The structure was elucidated by means of ESI mass spectrometry, ^1^H‐NMR spectroscopy, high‐resolution (HR) mass spectrometry, and ICP spectrometry. The structure of [1‐(3‐diazenylphenyl)ethanol]iron and the study of its insecticidal action may be used as a starting point for the development of new drugs for pest control in agriculture.