| Abstract: | Natural Occurrence of C(15)-Epimeric Coleons C and D and its Significance to the Stereochemistry of the Formation of a Spirocyclopropanring In a previous paper some evidence was presented for a predominant occurrence of epimeric coleons ((15S)-coleon C ((15 S)- 1a ), and (15S)-coleon D ((15S)- 2a )) in Plectranthus lanuginosus 1], The proposed structures have now been proven by careful comparison of their physical data with those of the already described C(15)-epimers whose structures were deduced by X-ray analysis of a derived cis-diketone 3 5], Examination of the epimeric purity of coleons possessing a 2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl side-chain (coleons C , D , H , I , I ′ and derivatives) isolated from seven different species (Coleus, Plectranthus and Solenostemon) has shown that these coleons always occur as a mixture of C(15)-epimers, although in most cases with one predominant epimer. The consequences for the stereochemistry of the postulated in vivo formation of the methyl-substituted spirocyclopropane substructure is discussed. |
