The ascidian Phallusia fumigata contains a series of new glucosphingol
ipids named phallusides 1-4 (1-4). The structures were elucidated by s
pectroscopic methods and chemical degradations. Phallusides 1-3 (1-3)
contain the uncommon sphingoid base ythro-(4E,8E,10E)-octadeca-4,8,10-
triene-1,3-diol. This is the first report of glucosphingolipids isolat
ed from ascidians. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.