Hydroquinone terpenoids

A series of hydroquinone terpenoids in Cordia alliodora (Boraginaceae) are derived from a geranylphenol precursor (Fig. 19.14). The presence of a number of compounds derived from this pathway in this species suggests that a simple reaction of the phenolic nucleus is followed by cyclization, rearrangement, and subsequent oxidation (Manners and Jurd, 1977). 

Manners GD 1983 The hydroquinone terpenoids of Cordia elaeagnoides. J Chem Soc Perkin Trans I 39-43... 

One of the identified stimulators was the terpenoid strigol 31 (Scheme 1.9). In attempts to develop an efficient tool to eradicate the witchweed (by artificially provoking its growth prior to the growth of com), numerous efforts were dedicated to the synthesis of 31 and its analogs. Later studies disclosed the presence of another active compound in the exudate of Sorghum, the substituted hydroquinone 32. As is typical for hydroquinone derivatives, 32 was found to be quite amenable to oxidation to quinone 33, which occurs readily in the soil. 

Anti-HIV compounds from marine sources also included terpenoids, steroids, peptides and alkaloids. Avarol, Fig. (1) and avarone. Fig. (2), sesquiterpenoid hydroquinones from the marine sponge Dysidea cinerea, are promising anti-HIV compounds [41,42]. Three new... 

In addition to being a rich source of furanoid sesquiterpenes, the sponge Disideapallescens has also yielded 191) a chromansesquiterpenoid, /-chromazonarol (237), which is the antipodal cyclic isomer of the algal hydroquinone zonarol (114). The biosynthesis of antipodal terpenoids by different organisms is of considerable interest. 

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