New phthalates from Phyllanthus muellerianus (Euphorbiaceae).

Species of the genus Phyllanthus are known for their medicinal values and many are explored phytochemically. Some of them produce phthalates which usually have antimicrobial properties. This paper deals with the phytochemical investigation on Phyllanthus muellerianus. As a result, five compounds, bis(2-ethyloctyl)phthalate (1), bis(2-ethylicosyl)phthalate (2), 3-friedelanone (3), beta-sitosterol (4), and methyl gallate (5), have been isolated and characterized. Metabolites 1 and 2 are new compounds, while 3-5 have been isolated for the first time from this source. Structures of all the isolates were established on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and in comparison with the reported data.