The chemistry of brevetoxins: a review.

The structure of the unique 'red tide' dinoflagellate neurotoxin, brevetoxin-B is presented and the experimental data supporting the chemical structure is discussed. A brief account of the other brevetoxins and their structural relationships is also presented. A biosynthetic scheme for the natural formation of the brevetoxin skeleton is proposed. Studies of the most toxic of the three pure brevetoxins, brevetoxin-A, indicate a skeleton differing from that of brevetoxin-B.