Structural Revision and Elucidation of the Biosynthesis of Hypodoratoxide by 13C,13C COSY NMR Spectroscopy

Feeding of (2,3,4,5,6‐¹³C₅)mevalonolactone to the fungus Hypomyces odoratus resulted in a completely labeled sesquiterpene ether. The connectivity of the carbon atoms was easily deduced from a ¹³C,¹³C COSY spectrum, revealing a structure that was different from the previously reported structure of hypodoratoxide, even though the reported ¹³C NMR data matched. A structural revision of hypodoratoxide is thus presented. Its absolute configuration was tentatively assigned from its co‐metabolite cis‐dihydroagarofuran. Its biosynthesis was investigated by feeding of (3‐¹³C)‐ and (4,6‐¹³C₂)mevalonolactone, which gave insights into the complex rearrangement of the carbon skeleton during terpene cyclization by analysis of the ¹³C,¹³C couplings.