Confirmation of the Configuration of 10-Isothiocyanato-4-cadinene Diastereomers through Synthesis

The marine sponge metabolite 10-isothiocyanato4-cadinene (1) was first isolated by Garson et al. from Acanthella cavernosa in 2000. The same structure 1 was later reported by Wright et al. from the nudibranch Phyllidiella pustulosa and its sponge diet, but with different NMR data. The syntheses of both enantiomers of 1 were accomplished through the isothiocyanation of 10-isocyano-4-cadinene (2) previously synthesized by our group. The correct spectroscopic data and specific rotation value of the structure 1 were determined on the basis of the syntheses. The NMR data of synthetic 1 matched those of the isothiocyanate isolated by Garson and differed from those reported by Wright. The spectroscopic data and specific rotation values of 10-epi-10-isothiocyanato-4-cadinene (6) and di-1,6-epi-10-isothiocyanato-4-cadinene (8) were also established through the syntheses of these diastereomers. Structure 6 has been reported as a natural product by Mitome et al., but the NMR data for the synthetic sample of 6 differ from those of the natural isolate.