A new chemical study of the Caribbean gorgonian Eunicea succinea colle
cted in Puerto Rico afforded seven new cembranolides (1-5, 7, and 8).
Excepting 1, the new compounds described here possess an unusual unsat
uration at either position C-1, C-6, or C-8, and all but 8 possess the
C-12R, C-13S stereochemistry usually ascribed to cembranolides from E
. succinea. Their chemical structures were carefully established by a
combination of chemical and spectroscopic methods in addition to detai
led NMR spectral comparisons with known cembranolide models.