Structure Determination of Two New Monocillin I Derivatives

Biotransformation of monocillin I (1) by Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159 was investigated. Two new derivatives 2 and 3 were isolated and identified on the basis of the spectroscopic data. Compounds 2 and 3 are synthesized by hydration at 10,11-double bond and hydrolysis of 14,15-epoxide, respectively. The R configuration of 11-OH in 2 was established by the modified 2-methoxy-2-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid (MTPA) method. The conversion of 1 to 2 and 3 was reconstituted in an acid solution, indicating that the formation of 2 and 3 is an acid-catalyzed instead of an enzymatic process.