Guggultetrols: A new class of naturally occurring lipids

Abstract

The qum-resin from Commiphora mukul has yielded a number of long-chain aliphatic 1,2,3,4-tetrols esterified with ferulic acid at the primary hydroxyl function. The tetrols are mainly C 18 and C20 compounds with minor amounts of C 16 C 17 G 19, C 21 and C 22 entities. Evidence has been obtained for the occurrence of corresponding mono-olefinic analogues in the exudate. All these tetrols are configurationally homogenous. Configuration has been established as D-xylo by unambiguous synthesis of D-lyxo-, L-ribo- and L-xylo-octadecane-l, 2,3,4-tetrols and comparison with the naturally occurring C 18 guggultetrol. A number of plants belonging to different families have been screened for the presence of such tetrols. © 1989 IUPAC