Polyoxygenated cyclohexenes from the Chinese tree, Uvaria purpurea.

Four new polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, 2-O-acetyl-6-O-methylzeylenol (2), 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-debenzoylzeylenone (5), 3-O-debenzoylzeylenone (6) and 3-O-debenzoylgrandiflorone (8), were isolated from the leaves of Uvaria purpurea. 2-O-acetyl-6-O-benzoylzeylenol (3) was also isolated for the first time as a natural product. Compounds 5-7 each showed inhibitory activity against the root growth of Lactuca sativa. Their structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods.