Leptogorgolide, a biogenetically interesting 1,4-diketo-cembranoid that reinforces the oxidation profile of C-18 as taxonomical marker for octocorals

The cembranoid 1 and the furanocembranolides 2-4 along with the known pukalide were isolated from Leptogorgia sp. and their structures determined spectroscopically. The 1,4-diketo-cembranoid 1 follows an oxidation pattern of C-18 that reinforces the concept of oxidation profile of C-18 as taxonomical marker for octocorals. The co-occurrence within a species of furanocembranolide/1,4-diketo-cembranoid congeners 1/2-4 raises the question about which one is the biogenetic precursor. A biogenetic pathway is proposed.

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