3-Benzylchroman Derivatives Related to Brazilin from Sappan Lignum

Abstract

Six aromatic compounds 1-6 were isolated from Sappan Lignum, the dried heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L., and were characterized as 3-benzylchroman derivatives by spectroscopic means. They seem to be closely related biosynthetically to brazilin; 2 and 3 may be precursors and 4-6 may be key intermediates in the biogenesis of brazilin.