Synthesis of 7-hydroxy -4- isopropyl -6- methylcoumarin: a bisnorsesquitepene. octadeca - 2 (10) , 3, 5, 7 - tetraene from indole and acetylacetone.

Abstract

We report herein a simple and straightforward synthesis of 7-hydroxy-4-isopropyl-6-methylcoumarin (I), a natural product isolated from the fronds of Macrothelypteris torresiana Ching var calvata Holtt (Murray, R. D. H., Nat. Prod. Rep., 1995, 12, 477-505). It is proposed that biogenetically I is a bisnorsesquiterpene and could be derived in vivo by loss of two carbon at?ms of a cadinane precursor.IH and IJC-NMR spectra. The plausible mechanism of the reac- tion is presented.been subjected to some kind of chemical or biological examination; thus vast majority of natural wealth remains unexplored. Studies on marine natural products initiated only recently have yielded molecules with exotic molecular architecture and diverse bioactivity. Well-directed research on natural products will enrich our bioresource base. In the current millennium, India is in a pre-eminent position to contribute towards natural product research with the utilization of its rich knowledge base and biodiversity.