Mollebenzylanols A and B, Highly Modified and Functionalized Diterpenoids with a 9-Benzyl-8,10-dioxatricyclo[5.2.1.01,5]decane Core from Rhododendron molle.

Two highly modified and functionalized diterpenoids, mollebenzylanols A (1) and B (2), and a known grayanane diterpenoid rhodojaponin III (3) were isolated from Rhododendron molle. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, an electronic circular dichroism (ECD) exciton chirality method, ECD calculations, and X-ray diffraction analysis of the p-bromobenzoate ester of 1 (1a). Compounds 1 and 2 possess an unprecedented diterpene carbon skeleton featuring a unique 9-benzyl-8,10-dioxatricyclo[5.2.1.01,5]decane core, and their plausible biosynthetic pathways are proposed. Their PTP1B inhibitory activity and modes of action were investigated.