MARINE NEMATOCIDES - TETRAHYDROFURANS FROM A SOUTHERN AUSTRALIAN BROWN ALGA, NOTHEIA-ANOMALA

Chemical analysis of N. anomala collected off rock platforms along the southern coast of Australia yielded a cis-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran (2 ), the structure for which was assigned by spectroscopic analysis, che mical derivatization and biomimetic synthesis. Tetrahydrofurans from N otheia anomola are reported for the first time as potent and selective inhibitors of the larval development of parasitic nematodes. SAR obse rvations are made on a selection of natural, semi-synthetic and synthe tic tetrahydrofurans. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.