Biologically active compounds from Pacific tunicates

Tunicates have proven to be a rich source of structurally-diverse metabolites covering a broad spectrum of biological activities. Initial testing of the methanolic extract from three Pacific didemnid tunicates indicated the presence of cytotoxic metabolites. The active compounds were isolated by various chromatographic procedures and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (UV, MS, IR, NMR). In addition, derivatization, chemical conversion and total synthesis were performed to secure the assigned structures.