Guggultetrols: a new class of naturally occurring lipids
The gum-resin from Commiphora mukul has yielded a number of long-chain aliphatic 1,2,3,4-tetrols esterified with ferulic acid at the primary hydroxyl function. The tetrols are mainly C 18 and C 20 compounds with minor amounts of C 16 , C 17 , C 19 , C 21 and C 22 entities. Evidence has been obtained for the occurrence of corresponding mono-olefinic anaogues in the exudate. All these tetrols are configurationally homogenous. Configuration has established as D-xylo by unambiguous synthesis of D-lyxo-, L-ribo- and L-xylo-octadecane-1,2,3,4-tetrols and comparison with the naturally occurring C 18 guggultetrol. A number of plants belonging to different families have been screened for the presence of such tetrols.