Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 4, 2026

Capillin

Capillin is a toxic naturally occurring organic compound with the chemical formula C12H8O. The structure contains acetophenone and a polyyne (pentadiynyl) portion, conjugated together as an ynone.

Last revised
Jun 4, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
346 w
Citations
4
Source
Capillin
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Names
Preferred IUPAC name
1-Phenylhexa-2,4-diyn-1-one
Other names
Capillin
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C12H8O/c1-2-3-5-10-12(13)11-8-6-4-7-9-11/h4,6-9H,1H3
    Key: RAZOKRUZEQERLH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CC#CC#CC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1
Properties
C12H8O
Molar mass 168.195 g·mol−1
Melting point 82–83 °C (180–181 °F; 355–356 K)
0.0177 mg/mL
Hazards
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
1 mg/kg (IV, mice)1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Capillin is a toxic naturally occurring organic compound with the chemical formula C
12
H
8
O
. The structure contains acetophenone and a polyyne (pentadiynyl) portion, conjugated together as an ynone.

Chemical taxonomy

Capillin is found in the essential oil of a number of Artemisia species, including Artemisia monosperma and Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon).2 The substance was initially isolated from Artemisia capillaris in 1956.3

Applications

Capillin is a biologically active substance. It has strong antifungal activity, and it is possibly antitumoral. Capillin exhibits cytotoxic activity and could cause apoptosis of certain human tumor cells.4

References

References

  1. CRC Handbook of Antibiotic Compounds, Vols.1- , Berdy, J., Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 1980, 8(2)(297), 1982
  2. Wishart, David S.; Guo, An Chi; Oler, Eponine; Wang, Fel; Anjum, Afia; Peters, Harrison; Dizon, Raynard; Sayeeda, Zinat; Tian, Siyang; Lee, Brian L.; Berjanskii, Mark; Mah, Robert; Yamamoto, Mai; Jovel Castillo, Juan; Torres Calzada, Claudia; Hiebert Giesbrecht, Mickel; Lui, Vicki W.; Varshavi, Dorna; Varshavi, Dorsa; Allen, Dana; Arndt, David; Khetarpal, Nitya; Sivakumaran, Aadhavya; Harford, Karxena; Sanford, Selena; Yee, Kristen; Cao, Xuan; Budinsky, Zachary; Liigand, Jaanus; Zhang, Lun; Zheng, Jiamin; Mandal, Rupasri; Karu, Naama; Dambrova, Maija; Schiöth, Helgi B.; Gautam, Vasuk. "Showing metabocard for Capillin (HMDB32867)". Human Metabolome Database, HMDB. 5.0.
  3. Nash, B. W.; Thomas, D. A.; Warburton, W. K.; Williams, Thelma D. (1965). "535. The preparation of capillin and some related compounds, and of some substituted pent-4-en-2-yn-1-ones". J. Chem. Soc.: 2983–2988. doi:10.1039/JR9650002983.
  4. Whelan LC, Ryan MF (2004). "Effects of the polyacetylene capillin on human tumour cell lines". Anticancer Research. 24 (4): 2281–6. PMID 15330173.