A new warfarin metabolite: structure and function.

The metabolism of the clinically utilized, anticoagulant warfarin [4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one] by rat liver microsomes has been investigated. The structure of a new warfarin metabolite [4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenyl-1-butenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one] (dehydrowarfarin) has been determined by mass spectral comparison with the chemically synthesized compound. The formation of dehydrowarfarin is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 and is unusual in that the final product is effectively dehydrogenated warfarin.