Eleven new sesquiterpenes (1-11) and two thymol derivatives (12, 13), along
with 12 known sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, were isolated from the bark
of Inula macrophylla. Their structures were determined on the basis of spe
ctral evidence (especially by HREIMS and 2D NMR) as well as chemical transf
ormations. The structure of macrophyllic acid A (1) was confirmed by X-ray
analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined on the basis o
f the appropriate chemical conversions and the application of a modified Mo
sher's method.