Totarol

Totarol is a meroterpene, and more precisely a terpenophenolic, a chemical compound that is part terpene and part natural phenol. It is a naturally produced diterpene that is bioactive as (+)-totarol. It was first isolated by McDowell and Esterfield from the heartwood of Podocarpus totara, a yew tree found in New Zealand. Podocarpus totara was investigated for unique molecules due to the tree’s increased resistance to rotting. Recent studies have confirmed (+)-totarol’s unique antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. Consequently, (+)-totarol is a promising candidate for a new source of drugs and has been the goal of numerous syntheses.