Structure of salvigenolide,a novel diterpenoid with a rearranged neo-clerodane skeleton from salviafulgens

From the aerial parts of Salvia fulgens Cav. (Labiatae) a new diterpenoid with a rearranged neo-clerodane skeleton was isolated. This novel compound named salvigenolide, showed a six-seven A/B ring system with a trans fussion. A probable biogenetic route is proposed. Its structure and relative stereochemistry as in $\text{1}$, were established by spectroscopic means and X-ray diffraction analysis.