Herrn Professor Dr. Walter Bogurh zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet (10.111. 77) lH-NMR., 13C-NMR., UV. and CD. spectral data of synthetic (3S, 3's)-astaxanthin, its 15-cis isomer, and some related compounds Summary 1H-NMR., 13C-NMR., UV. and CD. spectra are reported for synthetic (3 S, 3's)-astaxanthin (l), its 15-cis isomer (2), its diacetate (3), and the 15,15'-didehydro compound (5). These data prove the identity of the synthetic and the naturally occuring compound 1. A full interpretation of the lH-and 13C-NMR. spectra is given and confirms the configuration of all the double bonds. The conformation of the cyclohexene end group of all the compaunds is shown to be identical. The signs of the different CD. maxima of 15-cis-astaxanthin are found to be opposite to those of the all-trans compound.Einleitung. - Obwohl das Vorkommen von Astaxanthin sehr oft in der Literatur erwahnt wird, geschieht dessen Nachweis meist nur durch UV.-und Massen-Spektroskopie. Da haufig freies Astaxanthin und dessen Mono-und Di-ester nebeneinander anzutreffen sind, erfolgt deren gemeinsamer Nachweis in vielen Fallen spektroskopisch sogar erst