Climacostol, a defense toxin of Climacostomum virens (protozoa, ciliata), and its congeners

Climacostol (1), a defense toxin of the heterotrich ciliate Climacostomum virens was established as 5-(Z)-non-2-enyl-benzene-1,3-diol. The structure was rigorously confirmed by the total synthesis. The two congeners of climacostol contained in this ciliate were determined as 5-(Z,Z)-undeca-2,5-dienyl-benzene-1,3-diol (2) and 5-(Z,Z,Z)-undeca-2,5,8-trienyl-benzene-1,3-diol (3).