Salvinorins D−F, New Neoclerodane Diterpenoids from Salvia divinorum, and an Improved Method for the Isolation of Salvinorin A

Three new neoclerodane diterpenoids, salvinorins D-F (4-6), have been isolated from the leaves of Salvia divinorum. The structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods, particularly 1D and 2D NMR. A simplified isolation method using chromatography on activated carbon also gave improved yields of the controlled substance salvinorin A (1) and of salvinorin C (3).