(+)-Calocedrin,a lignan dihydroanhydride from Calocedrus formosana

A novel lignan dihydroanhydride, (+)-calocedrin, was isolated from the wood of Calocedrus formosana. Its structure was determined to be trans-α-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzylidene)-β-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)-γ-hydroxybutanolide by spectroscopic methods. Reduction of (+)-calocedrin resulted in an optically inactive lignan lactone, (±)-hibalactone.