The absolute configuration of polycephalin C from the slime mold Physarum polycephalum (Myxomycetes)

Abstract The absolute configuration of polycephalin C ( 1 ) isolated from plasmodia of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum is supposed to be 3″ R ,4″ R as found by comparison of CD spectra of the natural product polycephalin C ( 1 ) and CD spectra of synthetic bis-benzoates (−)- 4 and (+)- 4 . An X-ray structure of the corresponding bis-camphanate (+)- 3 shows that the exciton chirality method may not be applied on these 1,4-diols in the usual manner.