SYNTHESIS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY OF A LPHA-CAMPHOLENIC AND BETA-CAMPHOLENIC THIOESTERS

alpha- and beta-Campholenic nitriles 3a and 3b were prepared by variou s methods and converted to campholenic acids 4a and 4b by hydrolysis. The acids were condensed with ethylthiol, n-propylthiol, isopropylthio l, n-buthylthiol and sec-buthylthiol to obtain thioester compounds 5a similar to 9b in 17 similar to 56% yields in three steps, the first be ing the imidation of d-camphor 1. The ten terpene derivatives obtained were tested for antimicrobial activity and growth-regulating activity in plants. For antimicrobial activity on Bacillus subtilis, Escherich ia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, -(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopenta-3-en-1 -yl)-thioacetate 6a(at 50 ppm)derived from 3a, inhibited the growth of E. coli.