6-Hydroxymethyl-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one (Opuntiol)

Abstract

The title compound, C7H8O4, isolated from Opuntia dillenii Haw (Cactaceae), is almost planar [maximum deviation of 0.027 (2) Å] except for the H atoms of the methylene and methyl groups. The crystal packing is stabilized by C—H...O and O—H...O intermolecular hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional network.