POLYOXYGENATED MARINE STEROIDS FROM THE DEEP-WATER STARFISH STYRACASTER CAROLI

Ten marine polyhydroxysreroids, 1-10, of which two, 1 and 5, are known compounds previously isolated from starfish, have been isolated from the deep water starfish Styrdraster caroli, collected at a depth of 2000 m off New Caledonia. The 3 beta,5,6 beta-trihydroxy functionality is the common element in these steroids, and additional hydroxyl groups were found at positions 8,15 alpha (or beta) and 16 beta. Greater differences are observed in the structure of the side-chains, which showed multiple functionalities and different alkylation patterns. Characterization was accomplished by fabms and H-1- and C-13-nmr spectroscopy, with the assignments of the configurations to the stereogenic centers of the side-chains being made by H-1-nmr comparison with appropriate models and on analysis of their derivatives with a chiral reagent.