KINAMYCIN BIOSYNTHESIS - SYNTHESIS, ISOLATION, AND INCORPORATION OF STEALTHIN-C, AN AMINOBENZO[B]FLUORENE

A new intermediate in the biosynthesis of the benzo[b]fluorene antibio tic, kinamycin D, has been identified. 5,9-trihydroxy-2-methyl-10H-ben zo[b]fluoren-10-one was synthesized and shown to be present in extract s of treptomyces murayamaensis fermentations. A deuterated sample was prepared and shown to be specifically incorporated into kinamycin D. T his new intermediate, now named stealthin C, is also the probable hydr oxylation substrate for the biosynthesis of stealthin A by S. Viridoch romogenes.