3,4-Dihydroxystyrene Dimers, Inducers of Larval Metamorphosis in Ascidians, from a Marine Sponge Jaspis sp.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)85673-8

Four new 3,4-dihydroxystyrene dimers (3,4,5, and 9) have been isolated from a marine sponge Jaspis sp. along with the known narains (1 and 2), of which 3-5 induced metamorphosis of ascidian Halocynthia roretzi larvae.Structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.Biogenesis of these compounds is also discussed.