METHOXYAMERICANOLIDE-B

The title compound, C16H20O5, was isolated from the gorgonian coral P. americana found in the Caribbean zone of the West Indies. The compoun d belongs to a well known family of sesquiterpenoid lactones. Its stru cture features a guaiane skeleton incorporating three types of oxygen functionalities. Thus, the five O atoms that are incorporated in the s keleton form two epoxy groups, a lactone moiety and an ether link. Thi s study assigns the relative stereochemistry at the six chiral centers as 1R,2R,4S,5S,8R,10S.