Chemical constituents of Baeckea frutescens L. and their chemotaxonomic significance

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Baeckea frutescens L. (Myrtaceae) identified twenty-two compounds, including seven flavonoids (1–7), five coumarins (8–12), five triterpenoids (13–17), one monophenol (18), one phenolic glycoside (19), one chromone (20), one ionone (21) and one dihydrochalcone (22). The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with literature. Compounds 3–7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 22 were first found from the genus Baeckea, while compounds 11, 19 and 20 were first reported within the family Myrtaceae. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was discussed.