BUTENOLIDES FROM MARCHANTIA-PALEACEA SUBSPECIES DIPTERA

Two new unstable long-chain lipids containing a gamma-lactone ring hav e been isolated from a diethyl ether extract of Japanese Marchantia pa leacea subsp. diptera, in addition to caryophyllene oxide and (+)-7,13 -labdadien-15-ol. Their structures were established by extensive 2D NM R techniques. They were shown to be 2-(8'Z,11'Z-hexadecadienyl)-penta- 2,4-dien-4-olide and 2-(8'Z-hexadecenyl)-penta-2,4-dien-4-olide. This is the first report of the isolation of long-chain butenolides from li verworts, although they have been isolated previously from the gorgoni ans Plexaura flava and Euplexaura flava. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd .