The oxidation of methyl acetylbetulate and methyl acetylmelaleucate by mercuric acetate

Abstract

The oxidation of methyl acetylbetulate by mercuric acetate to give methyl 3β-acetoxylupa-18,20(29)-dien-28-oate has been confirmed by further degradations of the dihydro derivative, methyl 3β-acetoxylup- 18-en-28-oate. The oxidation of methyl acetylmelaleucate by mercuric acetate similarly introduces Δ¹⁸-unsaturation. The structures of melaleucic acid, ceanothenic acid, and emmolactone are discussed.