Taxoids, Lignans, and Simple Phenolic Compounds from a Sample of the Needles of Himalayan Taxus baccata

Chemical investigation on a sample of the needles of Himalayan Taxus baccata has resulted in the isolation of several taxoids including taxol (1) 10-deacetyl-baccatin III (2) and 2-deacetoxytaxinine J (3) along with different lignans (6 and 7) and simple phenolics (8, 9, 10, 11 and 12). The occurrence of 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-butane-2-one and 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-trans-but 3-ene-2-one (8) in Taxus species is reported for the first time. The $^{13}C-NMR$ spectral data of two rearranged taxiod constituents, brevifoliol (4) and 13-decinnamoyltaxchinin B (5) are presented. The acid-catalyzed decomposition of taxol has been discussed. The synthesis of other two constituents, rhododendrol (10) and hibalactone (7) has been described.