Quebrachitol is a naturally occurring optically active cyclitol, a cyclic polyol. It can be found in Allophylus edulis[1] and in the serum left after the coagulation of the Hevea brasiliensis latex in the operation of rubber tapping.[2] It is also found in Cannabis sativa,[3] in Paullinia pinnata and in seabuckthorn.[4]

It was first isolated by Tanret in 1887 from the bark of Aspidosperma quebracho. The substance was tested as a sweetening agent for diabetics in 1933. It shows a sweetening property half of that of sucrose but induces colic or diarrhoea at concentration used to render the food palatable.[5]

Quebrachitol is a versatile building block in the construction of naturally occurring bioactive materials.[6] For example, its conversion into antifungal (E)-β-methoxyacrylate, oudemansin X has been made.[7]

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