Studies on the Constituents of Atractylodes. IX. Structure and Autoxidation of Atractylon

Abstract

Atractylon, the sesquiterpenoid oxide isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes japonica and its related plants (Compositae), has been proven to have constitution I on the basis of spectral properties and its conversion into 8, 12-oxido-eudesmane. Autoxidation of atractylon has given two crystalline compounds, the autoxidation product A and B, which have been established as shown in formulae (IV and V), respectively, from the degradative and spectral evidence.