Chapter 5b - Natural products containing a cyclohexane, cyclohexene, or cyclohexadiene subunit

Abstract

Publisher Summary The chapter reviews the literature of a diverse collection of cyclohexane, cyclohexene, and cyclohexadiene natural products from 1971 through mid-1991. It discusses nonfunctionalized terpenes, unusual terpenoids, and nonterpenoids, each containing a of cyclohexane, cyclohexene or cyclohexadiene ring. Examples of nonfunctionalized terpenes, which include herbal plants that secrete one of these compounds, are illustrated. The chapter then presents functionalized examples of products that contain amino acids, oxygenated cyclohexanes, and oxygenated cyclohexenes. It also describes the structure of nonfunctionalized or unusual terpenoids. C13 Norterpenoids are discussed next, and are described as a group of compounds that play an important role as aroma components in fruits and plants. The structure of the shikimic acid pathway is described including its mechanistic aspects, its synthesis, analogues, and natural occurrence. The structure of cyclitols and their derivatives are also discussed. Similarly, inositols are explained in detail. Thereafter, the chapter explains pseudosugars, which are sugars in which the ring oxygen is replaced with a methylene group. Aminocyclitols that yield an array of novel antibiotics are explained. Benzoquinones and quinols that are remarkable in their medicinal qualities are addressed. Finally, halogenated tyrosine metabolites that are a collection of marine natural products are described.