Tribenzylbutyrolactones and Dibenzyldiphenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofuranones from Kyrtuthrix maculans

Ten novel compounds, maculalactones B-K (2-11), have been isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Kyrtuthrix maculans. Their structures, which involve either three benzyl groups substituted on a butyrolactone ring or two benzyl and two phenyl groups substituted on a 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofuranone nucleus, were determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy. Some speculation is made concerning the biogenesis of these two novel classes of natural products.