Merobatzelladines A and B, Anti-Infective Tricyclic Guanidines from a Marine Sponge Monanchora sp.

Merobatzelladines A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from a marine sponge Monanchora sp. as antibacterial constituents. Their structures including relative stereochemistry were determined by interpretation of spectral data. The absolute stereochemistry of merobatzelladine B (2) was elucidated after introduction of the fourth ring system preinstalled with a secondary hydroxyl group to which the modified Mosher method was applied. Merobatzelladines exhibit moderate anti-infective activity against a bacterium and protozoa.