Phytochemical reinvestigation on Ligularia nelumbifolia afforded four novel sinapyl alcohol analogues named nelumols B-E (1-4) and three known sinapyl alcohol derivatives (5-7). Their structures were elucidated by NMR techniques. Total syntheses of cytotoxic geranyloxy sinapyl alcohol (6) and geranyloxy sinapyl aldehyde (7) were carried out via two different paths. The 4-O-benzyl-substituted analogues (20 and 27) as well as the 4-O-(2-methylbutenyl) derivatives (34 and 35) were also synthesized. The cytotoxicities of 6 and 7 were measured using A-549, HL-60, and KB cancer cell lines.

Coupled reversed-phase HPLC-NMR spectroscopy has been applied to the rapid detection and identification of plant metabolites of Torreya jackii, a species of Taxaceae. Analysis consisted of gradient HPLC elution and directly coupled H NMR (500 MHz) spectroscopic detection in a stopped-flow mode. Seven lignans were detected and their structures were 1 elucidated, based on their HPLC-1 H NMR spectra and MS data. The structures were confirmed by isolation of the single components followed by conventional NMR measurements.