24-trien-3,21-doc acid 1, the corresponding 3-monomethyl ester 12, and 2'-hydroxyrohitukin 13, have been isolated from the bark of Glrcrrecl cedrcttrr (Meliaceae). The structuresof 1 and 12 were confirmed by correlation with methyl 3-oxotirucalla-8.24-dien-21-oate (methyl isoelemonate) 6. The 'Hand I'C nmr data are reported.On a isole, de I'ecorce de Glrrrrrcl ceclrrrtcl (Meliaceae), trois triterpenoides nouveaux, I'acide 3,4-secotirucalla-4(28).7,24-tritn-3,21-dioique 1, son ester rnethylique 12 et 2'-hydroxyrohitukin 13. On a confirrne les structures 1 et 12 par une correlation avec methyl 3-oxotirucalla-8.24-dien-21-oate 6. Les spectres rmn sont presentks.In a continuation of our investigation (1,2) of the conditions the dimethyl ester 2 gave the chloroconstituents of the Meliaceae family we have diene 5 70.8 (s, C-25), 147.3, 137.6 (both s, C-8 examined the extract of the bark of G~iarea cedrata and C-9), 129.8 (s, C-4), 1 13.8 (t, C-28)). This and have isolated three new compounds, the ring A acid-induced isomerisation of a hindered trisubstisecotirucallane derivatives A 1 and B 12 and 2'-tuted to a tetrasubstituted double bond is reminishydroxyrohitukin 13, whose structures were as-cent of the behaviour of A7 tetracyclic triterpensigned on the following evidence.oids, e.g. odoratol (3), and, taken in conjunction Compound A 1, C3,H4,04, has spectroscopic with the above spectroscopic evidence, led us to 1 properties consistent with the presence of two car-as a biogenetically acceptable structure for comboxyl groups (ir: 3200-2500 (br), 1709 cm-1; 6c pound A. This was confirmed in the following way. 183.5 and 181.3), an exomethylene ( 6~ 4.80 (2H, Methyl 3-oxotirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oate 6, isobs); 6 c 132.4 (s) and 114.1 (t)), and two trisub-lated from elemi resin according to the procedure of stituted double bonds (tjH5.23 (m, H-7) and 5.09 (bt, Halsall and co-workers (4). was hydrogenated over H-24); 6,. 123.5 (d, C-24), 147.5 (s, C-25), and 1 18.0 palladium/charcoal to give the non-crystalline (d, C-7), 145.8 (s, C-8)). The molecule is therefore 24,25-dihydro-derivative 7. Baeyer-Villiger oxidatricarbocyclic. In addition there are three tertiary tion of 7 with peracetic acid afforded a mixture of methyls (6H 0.81, 0.87, and 0.95) and three vinyl the lactone 8 and the epoxylactone 9, separable by methyls ( 6~ 1.55, 1.65, and 1.75). Hydrogenation preparative tlc. The former was converted into the over palladium/charcoal of the dimethyl ester 2, diene dimethyl ester 11, via the hydroxy dimethyl obtained by reaction of 1 with diazomethane, af-ester 10, by alkaline hydrolysis, methylation, and forded the tetrahydroderivative 3 whose I3C nmr dehydration with thionyl chloride. Hydrogenation spectrum (6c 118.3 (d, C-7) and 145.6 (s, C-8)) of 11 yielded dimethyl 3,4-secotirucall-8-enclearly showed that one of the trisubstituted double 3,21-dioate 4, identical in all respects with the bonds was resistant to hydrogenation under normal product of acid isomerisation of dimethyl tetraconditions. On treatment with dry hy...