PHENYLBUTANOID AND TAXANE-LIKE METABOLITES FROM NEEDLES OF TAXUS-BREVIFOLIA

The structures for brevifoliol and three baccatin VI derivatives were revised to possess the novel 11(15 --> 1)-abeotaxane tricylic skeleton based on X-ray crystallographic studies. Four more new rearranged tax ane derivatives related to brevifoliol and the unusual phenylbutanoid, (-)-rhododendrol, were isolated from the needles of Taxus breuifolia. Their structures were established as 10 beta-benzoxy-5 alpha-(3'-dime thylamino-3'-phenyl)-propanoxy-1 beta-hydroxy- 7 beta,9 alpha,13 alpha -triacetoxy-11(15 --> 1)-abeotaxa-4(20),11-diene; 10 beta-benzoxy-1 be ta-hydroxy-5 alpha-(3'-methylamino-3'-phenyl)- propanoxy-7 beta,9 alph a,l3 alpha-triacetoxy-11(15 --> 1)-abeotaxa-4(20),11-diene; 10 beta-be nzoxy-5 alpha-cinnamoxy-1 beta-hydroxy-7 beta,9 alpha,13 alpha-triacet oxy-1 1(15 --> 1)-abeotaxa-4(20),11-diene; 10 beta-benzoxy-1 beta,5 al pha-dihydroxy-7 beta,9 alpha,13 alpha-triacetoxy-11(15 --> 1)-abeotaxa -4(20),11-diene and 2(R)-hydroxy-4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-butane.