Rare aromadendrane diterpenoids from a new soft coral species of Sinularia genus of the Indian Ocean

Chemical examination of a new soft coral species of Sinularia genus of the Indian Ocean resulted in the isolation of 4 new and rare aromadendrane type of diterpenoids, in addition to the known Delta(9(15)) - africanene, batyl alcohol and three polyhydroxy steroids. The structures of new diterpenoids have been established by a study of their spectral data. The diterpenoids of this class have now been reported for the first time from a marine organism, while they were reported only once from a terrestrial source. The crude extract of the organism has showed moderate larvicidal activitiy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.