Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Zoapatanol and Montanol, Novel Oxepane Diterpenoids from the Mexican Plant Zoapatle (Montanoa tomentosa)

Abstract

Two novel biologically active oxepane diterpenoids, zoapatanol (1) and montanol (2), have been isolated from the leaves of zoapatle (Montanoa tomentosa). A tea prepared from the plant has been used in Mexico for the past four centuries to induce menses and labor. The isolation of 1 and 2 via a variety of chromatographic and chemical procedures is described. The two title diterpenoids and related oxepanes were characterized by a variety of spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation. The structure of the major component 1 was confirmed by X-ray analysis of a 3,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivative. © 1982, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.