An unusual reaction of terramycin with methyl iodide

Abstract An unusual fragmentation reaction was observed when terramycin is treated with MeI in acetone at room temp. The reaction proceeds with quaternization, loss of trimethylamine, fission of bonds 4a,5 and 12,12a with formation of an aldehydo-lactone derived from rings B, C and D. Additionally some transformations of this lactone are described.