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Updated: May 5, 2026

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Identification and preparation of antiinsectan dienols fromDipterocarpus kerrii tree resins
D P Richardson1, A C Messer, B A Newton
1Department of Chemistry, Williams College, 01267-2092, Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Originally isolated fromDipterocarpus kerrii, the two previously uncharacterized sesquiterpenes,1 and20, were synthesized from α-gurjunene. A novel process involvingm-chloroperoxybenzoic acid oxidation ofα-gurjunene produced20 in one step. Spectroscopic studies determined that the diene moiety in20 is nonconjugated and also found the C-4 tertiary alcohol center to have theα-configuration, while the other stereocenters have configurations matching the corresponding centers inα-gurjunene. Bioassays with termites demonstrated that20 was more toxic than1, resulting in a 50% mortality in seven days when offered toNeotermes ?dalbergiae on filter papers. The chemicals appear to result from biotransformation ofα-gurjunene. In view of its similarity to the known sesquiterpeneγ-gurjunene, we suggest that20 be referred to asγ-gurjunenol.
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