Monolaterol, the first configurationally assigned phenylphenalenone derivative with a stereogenic center at C-9, from Monochoria elata.

Phytochemical analysis of the roots of Monochoria elata resulted in the structure elucidation of monolaterol, the first configurationally assigned phenylphenalenone-type natural product with a stereogenic center at the phenyl-bearing carbon, C-9, and four known phenylphenalenones by MS and NMR methods. The absolute configuration of the new phenyldihydrophenalenediol was assigned by comparing the results of quantum chemical CD calculations and experimental CD spectra, and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.