Abstract: The gorgonian Briareum asbestinum contained two classes of diterpenes, the briareins and the asbestinins. The structure of asbestiniq-l (3) was determined from a single- crystal X-ray diffraction study on the corresponding diol 8. The structures of asbestinins-2,-3,- 4, and-5 (4-7) were determined by analysis of spectral data. The relationships between asbestinins-2,-3,-4, and-5 (4-7) and asbestinin-1 (3) were confirmed by chemical ...
