Hedathiosulfonic acids A and B, novel thiosulfonic acids from the deep-sea urchin Echinocardium cordatum

Hedathiosulfonic acids A and B were isolated from the deep-sea urchin Echinocardium cordatum and were determined to be novel 6-undecanethiosulfonic acids by 2D NMR, HRMS, and methylation reaction. The stereostructure of hedathiosulfonic acid A was determined by the analysis of its degradation product, a cyclic beta-hydroxysulfone. Hedathiosulfonic acids exhibited acute toxicity. We carried out various model reactions of the olefinic compounds with thiosulfonic acids and proved that, as is the case with natural products, synthesized thiosulfonic acid possessing a carbon-carbon double bond was converted into beta-hydroxysulfone in the presence of oxygen. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.