Preparation of ginkgolide and F-seco-ginkgolide lactols: the unique reactivity of α-hydroxy lactones toward NaBH4

Diterpenoids

This review covers the isolation and structures of diterpenoids, including labdanes, clerodanes,pimaranes, abietanes, kauranes, cembranolides, taxanes and marine diterpenoids. The literature from January to December 2005 is reviewed, and 195 references are cited.

Terpene trilactones from Gingko biloba: from ancient times to the 21st century

Ginkgolides were always close to my heart. I continue to be strongly attracted to Ginkgo biloba, the ginkgolides and bilobalide. Starting in 1963, I became fascinated by these molecules while working on their isolation and structure elucidation in Sendai. Presumably, due to the ginkgolide studies, I received an invitation to join the faculty at Columbia University. After almost three decades of not touching the ginkgolide project, we have unexpectedly resumed the studies, at this time because of their enigmatic biological effects. This account is a reflection on earlier studies, as well as an outline of our current work.

Lactone-free ginkgolides via regioselective DIBAL-H reduction

The lactone rings of ginkgolide A are converted into corresponding tetrahydrofuran moieties via DIBAL-H reduction followed by deoxygenation of the formed lactols with Et3SiH-BF3.Et2O to produce a series of lactone-free ginkgolides.