An array of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques (APT, DEFT, COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) was used to achieve the structural elucidation of some natural benzofuranoid and hydrofuran neolignans isolated from Licaria chrysophylla, L. armeniaca, L. aurea and Nectandra glabrescens fruits. The combination of homo- and heteronuclear NMR data was used to obtain the H-1 and C-13 chemical shift assignments of these neolignans. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.