Spirokermeline: A Macrocyclic Spirolactone from Kermadecia elliptica Brongn. & Gris

Spirokermeline, a new macrocyclic compound derived from resorcinol, was isolated from Kermadecia elliptica , an endemic species of New Caledonia. The structure of spirokermeline was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction analysis. This is the first time that a 3 H ,3′ H ‐spiro[benzofuran‐2,1′‐isobenzofuran]‐3,3′‐dione was isolated from higher plants and only the second time that this scaffold was found in nature. A possible biosynthetic pathway is proposed.