Structure and Synthesis of Anhydrobisfarnesol from Euphorbia lateriflora and Asymmetric Synthesis of (R)-Sesquilavandulol

Anhydrobisfarnesol has been isolated from the latex of Euphorbia lateriflora and assigned structure 4 on the basis of its spectroscopic properties. Its structure has been confirmed by synthesis using a photochemical isomerisation procedure. A similar approach has been used for the total synthesis of (R)-sesquilavandulol.