The Crystal Structure of Licarin-B $(C_{20}H_{20}O_4)$, A Component of the Seeds of Myristica fragrans

The crystal structure of licarin-B, a component of Myristicae Semen was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal of the compound, which was recrystallized from the mixture of hexane and ether, is monoclinic with a=12.740(1), b=7.219(1), c=9.284(1) ${\AA}$, ${\beta}=94.75(1)^{\circ}$, $D_x=1.26$, $D_m=1.27\;g/cm^3$, space group P21, and Z=2. The structure was solved by direct method and refined by least-squares procedure to the final R value of 0.040 for 1532 independent reflections ${F{\ge}3{\sigma}(F)}$. The compound is a dimeric phenylpropanoid, and belongs to the neolignan analogues. The molecules are arranged along with the screw axis. The intermolecular contacts appear to be the normal van der Waals' forces.