Four hitherto unknown 6a,11b-dihydroxypterocarpans, namely pterocarpadiols A-D (1-4), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Derris robusta. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Pterocarpadiols A-D are a kind of very rare 6a,11b-dihydroxypterocarpans, and their presence as markers may be helpful in chemotaxonomical classification.
Keywords: 6a,11b-Dihydroxypterocarpan; Derris robusta; Pterocarpadiol.