Absolute Configuration of Fusarone, a New Azaphilone from the Endophytic Fungus Fusarium sp. Isolated from Melia azedarach, and of Related Azaphilones

A new azaphilone derivative, named fusarone (1), has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble extract of the fermentation broth of an endophytic fungus, Fusarium sp. LN-12, isolated from the leaves of Melia azedarach Linn. The structure of the new compound was established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR ((1) H-(1)H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) experiments. The absolute configurations of fusarone (1) and of a second related azaphilone were determined by means of electronic circular dichroism spectroscopy and optical rotation calculations.