Alkaloids of formosan Fissistigma and Goniothalamus species

Separation of the basic fractions from Formosan Fissistigma glaucescens, F. oldhamii and Goniothalamus amuyon afforded one new quaternary phenanthrene alkaloid, N-methylatherosperminium (15), along with the known alkaloids, (?)-discretamine (1), (?)-tetrahydropalmatine (2), palmatine (3), (?)-asimilobine (4), (?)-norannuradhapurine (5), (?)-crebanine (6), (?)-calycinine (fissoldine, fissistigine A) (7a), (?)-anolobine (8), (?)-xylopine (9), (?)-anonaine (10a), oxocrebanine (11), liriodenine (12), atherosperminine (13), N-noratherosperminine (14) and (+)-O-methylflavinantine (O-methylpallidine) (16).     

Cytotoxic quinazoline alkaloids from the seeds of Peganum harmala

Seventeen quinazoline alkaloids and derivatives, containing two pairs of new epimers, named as (S)- and (R)-1-(2-aminobenzyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1?→?6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1, 2), (S)- and (R)-vasicinone β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1?→?6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3, 4), and a new enantiomer (12b), together with six known ones (5–8, 10, and 12a), and three pairs of known enantiomers (9, 11, and 13), were isolated from the ethanol extracts of the seeds of Peganum harmala L.. Their structures including the absolute configuration were elucidated by using 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD calculation approaches. The cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds were evaluated. 11 showed moderate cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 15.41?μM.     

Triterpenoid saponins from Fatsia japonica

Five triterpenoid saponins isolated from the flowers, the mature fruits and the leaves of Fatsia japonica were identified as 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (1), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-oleanolic acid (2), 3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (3), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin (4) and 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (5). The saponins 1 and 2 are new, naturally occurring, triterpenoid saponins. The distribution of the five saponins in three parts of the plant was investigated. Saponins 2, 3 and 5 were present in the flowers, saponins 1, 3, 4 and 5 were in the mature fruits and saponins 2, 3, 4 and 5 were in the leaves.     

Acetolysis of Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1299 Dextran. Isolation and characterization of tetrasacharrides containing secondary linkages from the borate-insoluble fraction

Fractionation of the deacetylated acetolyzate of the borate-insoluble fraction of the dextran elaborated by Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1299 gave five tetrasaccharide fractions, isolated after chromatography on charcoal—Celite, paper chromatography, and paper electrophoresis. Examination of partial acid hydrolyzates of the tetrasaccharide fractions and their corresponding alditols, the relation between the logarithm of their partition functions (α') and molecular size, and methylation studies, showed them to be (a) 2³-α-d-glucosyl-nigerotriose (1), (b) a mixture of 6-α-nigerotriosyl-d-glucose (2) and 6¹-α-d-glucosyl-nigerotriose (3) and/or 6²-α-d-glucosyl-nigerotriose (4), (c) a mixture of 2¹-α-nigerosyl-isomaltose (5) and 3²-α-isomaltosyl-kojibiose (6) and/or 6²-α-nigerosyl-kojibiose (7), (d) 2-α-nigerotriosyl-d-glucose (8) and (e) nigerotetraose (9).     

Phenolic compounds and their anti-oxidative properties and protein kinase inhibition from the Chinese mangrove plant Laguncularia racemosa

Phenolic compounds, named integracin D (1), (7′R, 8′S, 8S)-8-hydroxyisoguaiacin (3), (2R, 3R) pinobanksin-3-caffeoylate (5) and threo-8S-7-methoxysyringylglycerol (6), respectively, were isolated from the Chinese mangrove plant Laguncularia racemosa (L) Gaertn. f. (Combretaceae), together with 23 known phenolic metabolites. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including that of IR, UV, MS, CD, 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by comparison with literature data. Compound 5 showed significant anti-oxidative activity in the DPPH and TEAC free-radical-scavenging assays, while several of the phenolic compounds were tested for protein kinase inhibitory activity in an assay involving 24 different human tumor related protein kinases. Compounds 5, 7, and 23 showed potential inhibition with IC₅₀ values between 2.2 and 3.6 μg/mL toward individual kinases. The ellagic acid derivatives were tested for insecticidal activity.     

Synthesis of some C-glycosyl- and polyhydroxyalkyl-pyridazines

Photo-oxygenation of 3-hydroxymethyl-5-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranosyl)-2-methylfuran, 5-(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino-tetritol-1-yl)-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2-methylfuran (8a), and 2-methyl-5-(1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-d-arabino-tetritol-1-yl)-3-furoic acid (8b) yielded the corresponding endo-peroxides, which were transformed into 4-hydroxymethyl-6-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranosyl)-3-methylpyridazine, 6-(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino-tetritol-1-yl)-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpyridazine, and 6-(d-arabino-tetritol-1-yl)-3-methylpyridazine by treatment with hydrazine. The γ-di-ketones (Z)-1-(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino-tetritol-1-yl)-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)pent-2-ene-1,4-dione and d-arabino-6,7,8,9-tetraacetoxy-4-methoxynonane-2,5-dione can be obtained by reduction of the endo-peroxides 9a and 9b (derived from 8a and 8b, respectively) with dimethyl sulphide. The C → O rearrangement reported for C-glycosyl endo-peroxides was also observed for 9a.     

Microbial oxygenation of dialkylbenzenes (I)

The use of the microorganism Sporotrichum sulfurescens (ATCC 7159) to oxygenate organic molecules has been extended to several dialkylbenzenes. Oxygenation of 1,4-di-t-butylbenzene (1) gave 4-t-butyl(1-hydroxy-2-methyl)isopropylbenzene (2) and 1,4-di-(1-hydroxy-2-methyl)isopropylbenzene (3); of 1,4-diisopropylbenzene (4) gave (R,R)-1,4-di-(1-hydroxy)isopropylbenzene (5); of 1,3-diisopropylbenzene (6) gave 1,3-di-(2-hydroxy)isopropylbenzene (7), 3-(1-hydroxy)isopropyl-(2-hydroxy)isopropylbenzene (8), and 1,3-di-(1-hydroxy)isopropylbenzene (9); and of p-isobutylisopropylbenzene (20) gave 1-(p-2-hydroxyisopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropan-2-ol (15) and 1-(p-1-hydroxyisopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropan-2-ol (16). Monohydroxydialkylbenzenes also served as useful substrates in this reaction as suggested by the fact that 2 is an intermediate in the formation of 3 from 1. Oxygenation of 1-(p-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropan-2-ol (14), conveniently prepared from 2-(p-isopropylphenyl)propene (12) via oxygenative isomerization with thallium trinitrate to 13 followed by addition of methyl magnesium bromide, gave 15 and 16. Oxygenation of 2-(p-isobutylphenyl)propan-2-ol (18) gave 15, 2-(p-isobutylphenyl)-propan-1,2-diol (21), and 1-(p-2-hydroxyisopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropan-3-ol (22). Compound 16, obtained from substrate 14, was converted to (2R)-2-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propionic acid (11), the enantiomer of a metabolite of the antiinflammatory agent, 2-(4-i-butyl)phenylpropionic acid (10).     

Anticomplement compounds from Polygonum chinense

Five new compounds including two phenyldilactones (1, 2), two coumarins (3, 4) and a dimer of N-E-feruloyl tyramine (5) together with twenty-three known compounds (6–28) were isolated from a medicinal plant Polygonum chinense. The structures of the new compounds were established by detailed spectral analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 5 were elucidated by Mosher’s method, Mo₂(OAc)₄-induced electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data, and ECD calculation. All the compounds were found to show potent anticomplement activity with CH₅₀ and AP₅₀ values ranging from 0.18 to 1.45?mM, and 0.26 to 2.80?mM, respectively. Phenyldilactones and phenylpropionic tyramines were firstly reported as anticomplement agents. The targets of compounds 1, 3, 5 and 10 in complement activation cascade were identified as well.     

The synthesis of new deoxynitroinositols by cyclization of 6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-d-allose and -l-talose

6-Deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-d-allose (5) and -l-talose (6) were synthesized from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3O-methyl-α-d-allofuranose (1) by the nitromethane method via their furanoid, 1,2-O-isopropylidene derivatives (2 and 3). The barium hydroxide-catalyzed cyclization of the free nitrohexoses (5 and 6) was investigated. Under conditions favoring kinetic control (pH ～8, 0°), 5 gave mainly 1d-5-deoxy-2-O-methyl-5-nitro-allo-inositol (7), with the 1l-epi-1 (8) and epi-6 (9) stereoisomers as minor products. Compound 6 afforded a high yield of the myo-5-isomer (11); the 1l-allo-5 (13) and 1d-epi-1 (14) isomers were formed in small proportions but not isolated. The thermodynamically controlled, mutual interconversion of the stereoisomeric products was studied, as was the formation of nitronate salts and the regeneration of free nitroinositols. Upon immediate acidification, the nitronate obtained from 11 gave 11 and the neo-2 epimer (12) in a ratio of 2:3. The nitronate produced by 7 underwent rapid β-epimerization. The five isolated deoxynitroinositol monomethyl ethers were further characterized as tetra-acetates (7a, 9a, 11a, and 12a) and isopropylidene derivatives (7b, 8b, and 9b).     

Mononuclear and tetranuclear palladacycles with terdentate [C,N,N] and [C,N,O] Schiff base ligands. C-H versus C-Br activation reactions

Reaction of the Schiff base ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (a) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (b) with Pd(OAc)₂ or K₂[PdCl₄] leads to the mononuclear cyclometallated compounds [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(OCOMe)] (1a) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (1b), derived from C-H activation at the C6 carbon. Treatment of a with Pd₂(dba)₃ gave [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(Br)] (2a), via C-Br activation.The metathesis reaction of 1a with aqueous sodium chloride gave [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (3a), with exchange of the acetate group by a chloride ligand. Treatment of the cyclometallated monomers 1a-3a with PPh₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio yielded the mononuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N}(L)(PPh₃)] (L: OAc, 4a; Cl, 5a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N}(Br)(PPh₃)] (6a), with Pd-NMe₂ bond cleavage. However, treatment of a solution of 3a or 2a with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, followed by reaction with PPh₃ in acetone yielded the cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (7a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (8a), respectively, where the Pd-NMe₂ bond was retained.The reaction of the ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (c) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (d) with Pd(OAc)₂ gave the tetranuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1c) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1d), respectively. Treatment of 1c with PPh₃ in 1:4 molar ratio, gave the mononuclear species [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}(PPh₃)] (2c) with opening of the polynuclear structure after P-O_bridging bond cleavage.The structure of compounds 2a, 1c and 1d has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and structure of dichloropalladium(II) complexes of heteroleptic N,S- and N,Se-donor ligands based on the 2-organochalcogenomethylpyridine motif, and Mizoroki-Heck catalysis mediated by complexes of N,S-donor ligands

Ligands containing the 2-organochalcogenomethylpyridine motif with substituents in the 4- or 6-position of the pyridyl ring, R⁴,R⁶-pyCH₂ER¹ [R⁴ = R⁶ = H, ER¹ = SMe (1), SeMe (2), SPh (6), SePh (7); R⁴ = Me, R⁶ = H, ER¹ = SMe (3), SPh (8), SePh (9); R⁴ = H, R⁶ = Me, ER¹ = SMe (4), SPh (10), SePh (11); R⁴ = H, R⁶ = Ph, ER¹ = SMe (5), SPh (12), SePh (13)] are obtained on the reaction of R⁴,R⁶-pyMe with LiBuⁿ followed by R¹EER¹. On reaction with PdCl₂(NCMe)₂, the ligands with a 6-phenyl substituent form cyclopalladated species PdCl{6-(o-C₆H₄)pyCH₂ER¹-C,N,E} (5a, 12a, 13a) with the structure of 13a (ER¹ = SePh) confirmed by X-ray crystallography; other ligands form complexes of stoichiometry PdCl₂(R⁴,R⁶-pyCH₂ER¹). Complexes with R⁶ = H are monomeric with N,E-bidentate configurations, confirmed by structural analysis for 3a (R⁴ = Me, ER¹ = SMe), 7a (R⁴ = H, ER¹ = SePh) and 9a (R⁴ = Me, ER¹ = SePh). Two of the 6-methyl substituted complexes examined by X-ray crystallography are oligomeric with trans-PdCl₂(N,E) motifs and bridging ligands, trimeric [PdCl₂(μ-6-MepyCH₂SPh-N,S)]₃ (10a) and dimeric [PdCl₂(μ-6-MepyCH₂SePh-N,Se)]₂ (11a). This behaviour is attributed to avoidance of the Me···Cl interaction that would occur in the cis-bidentate configuration if the pyridyl plane had the same orientation with respect to the coordination plane as observed for 3a, 7a and 9a [dihedral angles 8.0(2)-16.8(2)°]. When examined as precatalysts for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction of n-butyl acrylate with aryl halides in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 120 °C, the complexes exhibit the anticipated trends in yield (ArI > ArBr > ArCl, higher yield for electron withdrawing substituents in 4-RC₆H₄Br and 4-RC₆H₄Cl). The most active precatalysts are PdCl₂(R⁴-pyCH₂SMe-N,S) (R = H (1a), Me (3a)); complexes of the selenium containing ligands exhibit very low activity. For closely related ligands, the changes SMe to SPh, 6-H to 6-Me, and 6-H to 6-Ph lead to lower activity, consistent with involvement of both the pyridyl and chalcogen donors in reactions involving aryl bromides. The precatalyst PdCl₂(pyCH₂SMe-N,S) (1a) exhibits higher activity for the reaction of aryl chlorides in Buⁿ₄NCl at 120 °C as a solvent under non-aqueous ionic liquid (NAIL) conditions.     

Depsidones and other constituents from Phomopsis sp. CAFT69 and its host plant Endodesmia calophylloides with potent inhibitory effect on motility of zoospores of grapevine pathogen Plasmopara viticola

In our search for secondary metabolites regulating the motility behavior of zoospores of the grapevine downy mildew pathogen Plasmopara viticola, we found that extracts from an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. CAFT69 and its host plant Endodesmia calophylloides remarkably impaired motility of zoospores followed by lysis. The active principles in the extracts were isolated and identified as two new compounds, namely excelsional (1a) and 9-hydroxyphomopsidin (2a), together with excelsione (1b), phomopsidin (2b), alternariol (3a), alternariol-5-O-methyl ether (3b), the hitherto undescribed 5′-hydroxyalternariol (3c), altenusin (4) from the fungus, xanthochymol (5) and 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (mesuaxanthone, 6) from the plant. Bioassays revealed that compounds 1a/b, 2a/b, and 3a–6 displayed motility inhibition and lytic activities against zoospores of the grapevine downy mildew pathogen P. viticola in a dose- and time-dependent manner from 1 to 10 μg/mL. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR techniques. This is the first report of an endophyte and its natural products from E. calophylloides and the first isolation of compounds 5 and 6 from this plant.     

Iridoids from Gentiana loureirii

Iridoid glycosides, 2′,3′,6′-tri-O-acetyl-4′-O-trans-p-(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl)coumaroyl-7-ketologanin (1), 2′-O-caffeoylloganic acid (2), 2′-O-p-hydroxybenzoylloganic acid (3), 2′-O-trans-p-coumaroylloganic acid (4), and 2′-O-cis-p-coumaroylloganic acid (5), were isolated from whole plants of Gentiana loureirii along with six known iridoids, 7-ketologanin (6), loganin (7), loganic acid (8), sweroside, boonein, and isoboonein, and three other known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means and chemical correlations. The isolated iridoids were evaluated for antibacterial and antioxidant activities, but were either inactive or very weakly active.     

New prenylated isoflavones and a prenylated dihydroflavonol from Millettia pachycarpa

Extraction of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. gave 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (1a), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,3′-diprenylisoflavone (2a), 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (3a) and (2R, 3R)-5,4′-dihydroxy-8-prenyl-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″: 7,6]-dihydroflavonol (4a) whose structures were established by chemical transformations and spectroscopic means. Pectolinarigenin and salvigenin were isolated from Buddleia macrostachya Benth.     

Steroidal saponins and ecdysterone from Asparagus filicinus and their cytotoxic activities

Two new spirostanoides, filiasparosides E (1) and F (2), one new furostanoside, filiasparoside G (3), and one new ecdysterone, stachysterone A-20, 22-acetonide (4), together with six known steroidal saponins, asparagusin A (5), filiasparoside A (6), filiasparoside B (7), aspafilioside A (8), aspafilioside B (9), and filiasparoside C (10) were isolated from the roots of Asparagus filicinus Buch.-Ham. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence. Compounds 1-10 were investigated for their cytotoxicities against human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cell line and compounds 8-10 exhibited cytotoxic activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.4 to 6.6 μM.     

Synthesis of acetylenic sugars and uronic acids via two-carbon chain extension of d-ribose

Treatment of methyl β-d-ribofuranoside with acetone gave methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribofuranoside (1, 90%), whereas methyl α-d-ribofuranoside gave a mixture (30%) of 1 and methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribofuranoside (1a). On oxidation, 1 gave methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside (2), whereas no similar product was obtained on oxidation of 1a. Ethynylmagnesium bromide reacted with 2 in dry tetrahydrofuran to give a 1:1 mixture (95%) of methyl 6,7-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-allo- (3) and -α-l-talo-hept-6-ynofuranoside (4). Ozonolysis of 3 and 4 in dichloromethane gave the corresponding d-allo- and l-talo-uronic acids, characterized as their methyl esters (5 and 6) and 5-O-formyl methyl esters (5a and 6a). Ozonolysis in methanol gave a mixture of the free uronic acid and the methyl ester, and only a small proportion of the 5-O-formyl methyl ester. Malonic acid reacted with 2 to give methyl 5,6-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-trans-hept-5-enofuranosiduronic acid (7).     

Chromone and chromanone glucosides from Hypericumsikokumontanum and their anti-Helicobacter pylori activities

Chromone glucosides, takanechromones A-C (1, 2 and 5) and chromanone glucosides, named takanechromanones A and B (3 and 4), were isolated from the methanolic extracts of Hypericumsikokumontanum together with 27 known compounds. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic evidence. The isolated compounds and some chromone derivatives were assayed for antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori and cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines.     

Phthalide mono- and dimers from the radix of Angelica sinensis

Phytochemical investigation of the radix of Angelica sinensis has led to the isolation and identification of a new phthalide dimer, (3Z)-(3aR,6S,3′R,8′S)-3a.8′,6.3′-diligustilide (1), along with three known phthalide dimers, including riligustilide (2), levistolide A (3), senkyunolide O (4), and three known phthalide monomers, including 3,9-dihydroxyl-ligustilide (5), (Z)-butylidene phthalide (6), (Z)-ligustilide (7). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including IR, NMR (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and MS. Meanwhile, the possible biosynthesis pathways of compounds 1 and 5 were hypothesized.     

Studies in the sphingolipids series,XXXII : Synthesis and resolution into optical antipodes of C20-phytosphingosine

C₂₀-Phytosphingosine, D(+)-ribo-2-amino-1, 3, 4-trihydroxyeicosane (8a), is synthesized through the following intermediates: 2-Methoxyoctadecanoic acid chloride (1)→Ethyl 2-methoxyoctadecanoylacetoacetate (2)→Ethyl (2-p-nitrophenylhydrazono)-2,3-dioxo-4-methoxyeicosanoate (3)→Ethyl 2-acetamido-3-oxo-4-methoxyeicosanoate (4)→Ethyl 2-acetamido-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyeicosanoate (5)→2-Acetamido-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyeicosanoic acid (6), 2-Amino-3-hydroxyeicosanoic acid 1,4-lactone hydrobromide (7a, b)→DL-ribo (8a) and DL-xylo(?)-2-amino-1,3,4-trihydroxyeicosane (8b). The resolution of the racemic base (8a) has been effected through its salts with D-tartaric acid.     

Neolignans from Aniba ferrea

The trunk wood of the Amazonian Aniba ferra Kubitzki contains, besides three benzyl benzoates (1a, b, c) and dillapiol (2), four hydrobenzofuranoid and two bicyclo [3.2.1] octanoid neolignans. The former comprise two representatives (3a, b) of the novel ferrearin- (3a-allyl-2- aryl-7a-hydroxy-3-methyl-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-7-oxobenzofuran type, and two further representatives (4a, b) of the known porosin-(3a-allyl-2-aryl-5-methoxy-3a,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran) type. The latter comprises a new representative (5a) of the known canellin- (1-allyl-6-aryl-7-methylbicyclo [3.2.1] octane) type, and the methyl ether (6a) of a known guianin- (1-allyl-6-aryl-7-methyl-4-oxobicyclo [3.2.1] oct-2-en) type neolignan.