Taxonomy and chemistry of a new fungus from bark beetle infested Pinus contorta var. latifolia. Part 2. Arthrographol, the metabolite inhibitory to Ophiostoma clavigerum

Abstract

The isolation and structure determination of arthrographol (1) is described. This substituted dihydrobenzofuran is the compound responsible for the antagonism shown by the newly described fungus Arthrographis pinicola Sigler and Yamaoka towards some blue stain fungi. The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, infrared and ultraviolet spectra, and the mass spectrum of arthrographol and its diacetyl derivative are reported. The inhibitory activity of arthrographol against Ophiostoma clavigerum (≡Ceratocystis clavigera) is described. Arthrographol, a new natural product, appears to be a norheptaketide related to known benzofurans of fungal origin. Key words: antifungal compound, structure of arthrographol, norheptaketide, blue stain fungus, Arthrographis pinicola.