3,7-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1-benzoxepin-5(2H)-one, a novel oxygen heterocyclic metabolite from cultures of the fungus Marasmiellus ramealis(Bull. ex Fr.) singer

Abstract

3,7-Bis(hydroxymethyl)benzoxepin-5(2H)-one (2) has been isolated from Marasmiellus ramealis cultures. Its structure was established by (a) spectrometry and (b) the synthesis of the corresponding 3,7-bis(methoxycarbonyl) compound (5), itself the product of mild oxidation of (2). The synthesis of (5) represents a new route to the benzoxepinone ring system.