Duvatrienediols in cuticular wax of Burley tobacco leaves

4, 8, 13-Duvatriene-1, 3-diol diastereoisomers have been identified in the cuticular wax of fresh Burley tobacco leaves. Their structures were determined by gas-liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Butylboronic acid derivatives of the alpha, beta-isomers were separated by gas-liquid chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. The quantitative determination by gas-liquid chromatography revealed that the duvatrienediols are major components in the cuticular wax of Nicotiana tabacum. The duvatrienediol content in young leaves is higher than in old leaves, and in young leaves this compound may account for half of the cuticular wax.