Chemistry of zerumbone. 2. Regulation of ring bond cleavage and unique antibacterial activities of zerumbone derivatives

Further investigation of the chemistry of the eleven-membered cyclic sesqui terpene, zerumbone, the major component of the wild ginger, Zingiber zerumb et Smith, has revealed a new selective epoxidation process, a further examp le of a novel Favorskii-initiated double ring contraction, and a regiospeci fic fragmentation of zerumbone dibromide derivatives. Several zerumbone der ivatives were found to be selective inhibitors of the growth of Gram-positi ve bacteria.