STRUCTURALLY INTRIGUING GLUCOSIDES FROM ALASKAN LITTLETREE WILLOW (SALIX ARBUSCULOIDES)

Nmr and chemical analysis of the major glycosidic metabolites of Salix arbusculoides has yielded two new isomeric glucosides, 3 and 4. Both 3 and 4 are structurally similar to salicortin, a common glucoside pre sent in most Populus and Salix species. Unlike salicortin, however, ne ither 3 nor 4 possesses the phenolic functionality that is characteris tic of the majority of glucosides found in these species. Compound 4 w as found to exist in solution as an equilibrium mixture of keto and en ol tautomers.