Structure and absolute configuration of the fungal ansabenzoquinone rhizopogone

The main pigment of the basidiomycete Rhizopogon pumilionus is the [13]paracyclophane derivative rhizopogone (1). The structures of 1 and the accompanying 2-acetoxyrhizopogone (5) were determined by spectroscopic studies, including 1D and 2D NMR measurements. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by comparison of its CD spectrum with that of secotridentoquinone (4). The structures of 1 and tridentoquinone (3) suggest a common biosynthesis originating from 2-geranylgeranyl-6-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (9). This supports the close taxonomic relationship of the genera Rhizopogon and Suillus (Boletales).