Urceolatin, a structurally unique bromophenol from Polysiphonia urceolata.

6-Bromo-1-(3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)phenanthro[4,5-bcd]furan-2,3,5-triol (urceolatin, 1), a highly oxygenated bromophenol containing an unprecedented naturally occurring benzylphenanthro[4,5-bcd]furan unit, was isolated from the marine red alga Polysiphonia urceolata. Its structure was established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 displayed significant DPPH radical-scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 7.9 microM, which is 10-fold more potent than that of the positive control, butylated hydroxytoluene.