Structural and spectroscopic characteristics of two lignans from Taxus baccata L.

As a part of our ongoing investigations on Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae), we have isolated two lignans, lariciresinol (1) and taxiresinol (2), from chloroform extract of the heartwood of this plant. This is the first report for the isolation of lariciresinol from T baccata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (IR, EIMS, DC1, 1D and 2D NMR). In addition, molecular mechanic and semiempirical calculations of these compounds have been carried out by using MM3, PM3 and AM1 programs to obtain three-dimensional most probable geometries. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.