Farnesyl-homogentisic acid derivatives from Otoba parvifolia

The seeds of Otoba parvifolia contain six novel compounds, apparently derived from homogentisic acid, including 3-farnesyl-2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-(1′-farnesyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-oxocyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-acetic acid lactone, 3-(1′-farnesyl-2′-hydroxy-4′-oxocyclopentan-1′-yl)-3-methoxy (and ethoxy) propanoic acid lactones and methyl esters. New spectral evidence obtained for the known furofuran lignans xanthoxylol and phillygenol, isolated from the same source, was used as a basis for comments on the structure of horsfieldin.