Abstract
WE have elsewhere described the isolation of a diethenoid alcohol, C30H50O, accompanying -amyrin and lupeol in the non-saponifiable fraction of shea nut oil1. We have now found that this alcohol, for which we propose the name basseol, is very readily cyclized by a variety of reagents to -amyrin. This reaction is, we believe, the first example of the conversion of a naturally occurring tetracyclic triterpene to a likewise naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene. It is of considerable biological importance in that it supplies an experimental realization of one stage in the natural evolution of a pentacyclic triterpene from presumably an acyclic structure of the squalene type by means of step wise cyclizations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
