Towards the biosynthesis of the aromatic products of the Mediterranean mollusc Scaphander lignarius:: isolation and synthesis of analogues of lignarenones

Secondary metabolites of the Mediterranean mollusc Scaphander lignarius from different collection sites have been investigated, proving the constant presence of a number of minor metabolites correlated to the already known lignarenones. Complete characterization of the new metabolites has been supported by enantioselective synthesis. The data are consistent with the origin of this unique class of omega-phenyloctanoids from a common polyketide pathway. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.