Abstract
Khusenic acid and isokhusenic acid, two new tricyclic sesquiterpene acids, were isolated from oil of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides, Linn). The physicochemical properties of the acids and their methyl esters were determined. Infrared, NMR, and mass spectral data as well as the results of dehydrogenation suggest that the two acids differ in the location of the double bond. Khusenic acid and methyl khusenate possess a terminal methylene group which rearranges in the presence of mineral acid to a tetrasubstituted double bond leading to the formation of isokhusenic acid and methyl isokhusenate, respectively. Dehydrogenation of the acids as well as their esters failed to yield any aromatic products, the main reaction being decarboxylation of the compounds to a C14 hydrocarbon.
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