Plants of the Ferula L. genus (celery, Apiaceae) are rich sources of terpenoids such as coumarins, terpenoid esters, and sesquiterpene lactones [1][2][3]. Preparations with physiological properties are based on terpenoids.We isolated a new terpenoid ester from roots of Ferula pachyphylla Korov. and called it ferocidin. The UV spectrum of this compound exhibits maxima at 262 and 295 nm (log ε 4.16 and 4.05), which are typical of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid derivatives.The IR spectrum of the compound contains absorption bands at 3450-3540, 1715, 1615, 1530, 1270, and 1245 cm -1 , which are due to the presence of hydroxyl, ester carbonyl, and an aromatic ring.Basic hydrolysis of ferocidin by aqueous alcoholic NaOH (20%) isolated a sesquiterpene alcohol C 15 H 24 O (II) from the neutral part of the hydrolysate. It was identical to previously isolated fecerol [4]. Isovanillic acid C 8 H 8 O 5 (III), mp 250-251°C, was isolated from the acid part of the hydrolysate.The PMR spectrum of the compound confirmed the above data. The following proton signals were observed (C 5 D 5 N, δ, ppm, J/Hz): 1.10 and 1.17 (3H, both s, 2CH 3 -1), 1.65 (3H, br.s, CH 3 -8), 4.90 (1H, m, H-10), 5.44 (1H, t, J = 7.5, H-7), 4.96 and 5.06 (1H each, d, J = 2.0, C 4 =CH 2 ), 5.44 and 5.91 (1H each, d, J = 16.0, H-2, H-3), 6.85 (1H, d, J = 9.5, H-3′), 7.70 (1H, dd, J 1 = 9.5, J 2 = 2.5, H-2′), 7.60 (1H, d, J = 2.5, H-6′).
