Two labdane diterpenoids 8-hydroxymarrubiin and leonitin were isolated from Leonotis dysophylla (Benth.) and Leonotis leonitis respectively. Spectral studies of 8-hydroxymarrubiin, C₂₀H₂₈ O₅ʻ showed the presence of a β -substituted furan, a Ϫ-lactone, three tertiary methyl groups and tertiary hydroxyl group (s). The NMR spectrum of 8-hydroxymarrubiin and marrubiin C₂₀H₂₈O₄ʻ were almost identical with the exception of the C₁₇- methyl group which appeared as a singlet in 8-hydroxymarrubiin and as a doublet in marrubiin. The extra oxygen atom was therefore assumed to be present as a hydroxyl group substituted in the C₈₋ position. This was further confirmed by the formation of an epoxide and a Ϫό-dilactone. Leonitin, C₂₀H₂₈O₇ʻ was shown by spectral and chemical evidence to be a diterpenoid dilactone possessing an ester function and an ether linkage. Comparison of the NMR spectra of compound X and leonitin suggested that the acetoxy function occurs in the C₂₀- position. This was further supported by the formation of a 'Ϫό -dilactone. The absence of a β -furan moiety was apparent from chemical and spectral evidence, A structure for leonitin is proposed and aspects of its stereochemistry discussed.

The isolation and structure determination of dubiin and leonitin, two new diterpenoid acetates from Leonotis dubia and Leonotis leonitis respectively, are discussed. The compounds are diterpenoids of the labdane type and are closely related to marrubiin. The proposed structures are based on chemical and spectral evidence. Dubiin, C₂₂H₃₀0₆̕ contains a tertiary hydroxy- group, a furan ring and a ó-lactone while leonitin, C₂₂H₃₀0₇̕ is a γ - dilactone. at C-20. Both compounds are unusual in being oxygenated The extraction of three Euryops species and the isolation of euryopsol, C₂₂H₃₀0₄̕̕ are also described. A furanoeremophilane structure containing three hydroxy- groups, one of which is at a bridgehead position, is proposed. Euryopsol is the first furanoeremophilanoid with a substituent attached at C-IO

Marrubiin and the other two diterpenoids, compounds X and Y, which had previously been isolated from Leonotus leonurus have been reinvestigated. Although the structure for marrubiin is well known its stereochemistry has been the subject of protracted discussion and is by no means secure except at C₅ and C₁₀ . N.M.R. spectral evidence showed that the lactone ring was cis-fused and β-orientated. Dehydration experiments carried out by previous workers were repeated, in order to resolve the residual uncertainty regarding the stereochemistry at C₉, an attempt was made to prepare iodoacetyl marrubic acid for X-ray crystallographic studies. Compound Y, C₂₀H₂₈0₃, a triply-unsaturated compound was shown by spectral studies to contain a furan ring and an α,β- unsaturated keto-group. It possesses a hydroxyl group incapable of acetylation, but readily removed by alkali and dehydrating agents to yield a tetraunsaturated compound, anhydro~Y; the hydroxyl is thus tertiary, Isolation of 1:2:5-trimethylnaphthalene on dehydrogenation indicated a relationship with the labdane diterpene group and supported the C₂₀ formula, The position of the α,β-unsaturated keto-group was resolved by interpretation of the ultraviolet spectra of degradation products and also by isolation of 1:2:3:5- trimethylnaphthalene on dehydrogenation of a suitable grignard product, The presence of a β-substituted furan was further indicated by colour reactions and confirmed by mass and n.m.r. spectra. The skeleton of compound Y is correlated with marrubiin via "iso-ambreinolide " and its stereochemistry is discussed. Further stereochemical assignments are postulated from the study of the n.m.r. spectra. Compound X, C₂₀H₂₈0₅, was shown by spectral and chemical evidence to be a diterpenoid dilactone containing an ether bridge between C₉ and C₁₃ Isolation of 1:2:5 trimethylnaphthal ene on dehydrogenation showed it to be closely related to marrubiin, This was supported by n.m.r. spectral results. A structure for compound X is proposed and the stereochemistry discussed. The aerial portions of Leonotis leonitis were also extracted and shown to contain a new compound, compound R. Preliminary investigation showed that it was a dilactone containing a furan ring, The n.m.r. spectrum of the compound is discussed.