THURBERIN A NEW PENTACYCLIC TRITERPENE FROM ORGAN PIPE CACTUS

A chemical analysis of the alcoholic extract of the fresh cortical (pulp) portion of the Organ Pipe cactus (Le-maireocereus thurberi) affords, besides thurberogenin (I), two more triterpenes, betulin (II) and a new triterpene, thurberin (III), hitherto unidentified in this species. The new triterpene belongs to the lupeol class and is an isomer of betulin. Based on the mass, nmr, spectral, and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) data, the hydroxyl groups are assigned to positions 3 and 12. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.