Molecular rearrangment of rastevione mesylate [1] in alkaline medium a
fforded two epimeric 2,6,6,11-tetramethyltricyclo[5.4.0.0(4,8)]undecan
e derivatives [2 and 3] by a 1,3-bond migration. Their stereostructure
s, which possess a new hydrocarbon skeleton named arteagane, were eluc
idated from nmr data in combination with X-ray diffraction analyses of
3 and its diacetate 7. The conformations of 2, 3, and several derivat
ives are reported.