Kalihinol-A, a highly functionalized diisocyano diterpenoid antibiotic from a sponge

The isocyano function occurs naturally in compounds isolated from terrestrial microorganisms and from marine sponges. A majority of the sponge metabolites have been sesquiterpenes. Isocyanoterpenes have generally been monofunctionalized and have often been accompanied by corresponding isothiocyano and formamido derivatives. The authors report here the structure of a new richly functionalized tricyclic diterpene, which bears isocyano, hydroxyl, tetrahydropyranyl, and chlorine functions. Kalihinol-A exhibits in vitro activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans .