Triumphalone, a diketone from the volatile oil of the leaves of Melaleuca triumphalis, and its spontaneous conversion into isotriumphalone

The major component (35-65%) of the volatile oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca triumphalis has been identified as (rel)-1beta-pentyl-1alpha,6alpha-dihydroxy-3,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexa-2,4-dione (trivial name triumphalone). Relative stereochemistry was established by nuclear Overhauser experiments and X-ray studies on the 2-(3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid) derivative. The remainder of the oil was composed of mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and alcohols. On prolonged standing the presence of a rearrangement product of triumphalone was observed which was characterized as (rel)-1beta-pentyl-1alpha,3alpha-dihydroxy-4,4,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexa-2,5-dione (trivial name isotriumphalone), presumably arising from an acid catalyzed shift of the pentyl group from C-1 to C-2.