Biosynthesis and absolute configuration of diterpene cryptotanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza: stereochemistry of methyl migration in the formation of the abietane skeleton determined by incorporation of D-[U-13C6]glucose

Abstract

Experimental evidence is presented supporting a hypothetical pathway for the biosynthesis of diterpene cryptotanshinone (1); the stereochemistry of a 1,2-methyl migration in the formation of the abietane skeleton has been determined by incorporation of D-[U-¹³C₆]glucose and determination of the absolute configuration at C-15 of (1).