In addition to the known iridoid glucosides antirrhinoside (1), antirr
hide (3), linarioside (5) and chaenorrhinoside (6), a novel nonglucosi
dic iridoid lactone was isolated in trace amount from Antirrhinum maju
s (Scrophulariaceae). This lactone, named antirrhinolide (4a) was synt
hesised from 5,6-O-isopropylidene-dihydroantirrhinoside aglucone (7) i
n two steps. Thus, its absolute stereochemistry was proven unequivocal
ly.