[The structure and absolute configuration of isorupestonic acid from Artemisia rupestris L]

A new sesquiterpene compound named isorupestonic acid was isolated from Artemisia rupestris and its absolute stereostructure was elucidated as 3B by spectral and X-ray crystallographic methods. Interestingly, the isorupestonic acid is based upon an unusual 6, 7 membered ring skeleton differing from the 5, 7 membered ring rupestonic acid although both have the same absolute configuration at C-1. The biogenesis of isorupestonic acid most likely involves breaking the C4-C5 bond of rupestonic skeleton and forming the C5-C14 bond. The absolute configuration of rupestonic acid was also determined as 4C by X-ray analysis and CD data.