Volatile components of the liverworts Archilejeunea olivacea, Cheilolejeunea imbricata and Leptolejeunea elliptica

Three liverworts, Archilejeunea olivacea, Cheilolejeunea imbricata and Leptolejeunea elliptica, belonging to the Lejeuneaceae, have been investigated chemically. Olivacene, a new naturally occurring sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, beta-monocyclonerolidol and (-)-spathulenol have been isolated from A. olivacea. The strong milky-like fragrance of C. imbricata is due to a mixture of (R)-dodec-2-en-1, 5-olide and (R)-tetradec-2-en-1,5-olide. Leptolejeunea elliptica produces an intensely fragrant odour which is due to a mixture of 1-ethyl-4-methoxy-, 1-ethyl-4-hydroxy- and 1-ethyl-4-acetoxybenene. There are no chemical affinities between the present three Lejeuneaceae species. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.