With the aid of one-and two-dimensional multipulse WMR techniques the structure of two novel sesquiterpene lactones from Achilles fragrantissima growing in Israel were elucidated and their conformational behaviour investigated. Although both compounds are closely related in their structures their CD spectra indicate that they belong to different enantiomeric series. 1lmRoDucr10N In the course of our studies on the sesquiterpene lactones of Iraeli wild plants used in Beduin folk medicine we investigated Achilles fragrantissima (Forssk). Sch. Bip.. This plant grows in the wadis of the Negev Desert, the Judean Desert and the Lower Jordan Valley of Israel. It is characterized by its pleasant smell due to its high content of essential oilsl. It is used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastro-intestinal disturbances and various infections, among them infections of the eye.
We wish to report now the isolation and identification of two new sesquiterpene lactones, designated achillolide A and B, to which the structures 1 and 3 were assigned.