Cubitane: a rare diterpenoid skeleton

Abstract

There are only 15 diterpenoids known sharing the rare cubitane skeleton (1,3-diisopropyl-6,10-dimethylcyclododecane, Fig. 1) named after the natural product (+)-cubitene ((+)-1) from the termite Cubitermes umbratus. Cubitane-type diterpenoids (“cubitanoids”) have since then been isolated from gorgonian corals and there are reports that cubitene also occurs in plants. The twelve-membered ring of the cubitanoids is an interesting feature for which we have developed a novel synthesis involving bicyclic precursors. In this review, we discuss the state-of-research regarding isolation, structure elucidation, biological activity, biosynthesis, and total synthesis of cubitane-type diterpenoids. Open image in new window Fig. 1 Cubitane skeleton and cubitanoids from termites