No abstract

Verrucarin A (2) was epoxidized to give the beta-9,10-epoxide 7 (major product) and alpha-9,10-epoxide 9 (minor product). The beta-epoxide 7 and its acetate 8 exhibit high in vivo antileukemic activity against P-388 mouse leukemia, whereas 2 and 9 are inactive. Epoxidation of verrucarin B (3) and roridin A (1) to their respective beta-9,10-epoxides (11 and 12, respectively) also yields compounds with substantially increased activity. Allylic alcohols derived from 2, alpha-C8 (20), beta-C8 (14), and C16 (15), were synthesized and tested; only 15 exhibited substantial in vivo activity.

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Chemical analyses of extracts of cultures ofS. chartarum show that this fungus has two chemotypes: producers of the potent cytotoxic macrocyclic trichothecenes (e. g. satratoxins) and those that produce the diterpenoid atranones and the simple trichothecenes, trichodermol and trichodermin. All isolates ofS. chartarum produce the immunosuppressant spirocyclic drimanes.

The isolation and structural elucidation of biologically active baccharinoids B1 [11a], B2 [12a], B3 [5a], and B7 [6a] are reported with crystal structure determinations of baccharinoid B7 and of the triacetate of baccharinoid B2. All four compounds are isomeric with 11a/12a and 5a/6a being epimeric at C13'.