Macrophilone A: Structure Elucidation, Total Synthesis, and Functional Evaluation of a Biologically Active Iminoquinone from the Marine Hydroid Macrorhynchia philippina

A previously uncharacterized pyrroloiminoquinone natural product, macrophilone A, was isolated from the stinging hydroid Macrorhynchia philippina. The structure was assigned utilizing long-range NMR couplings and DFT calculations and proved by a concise, five-step total synthesis. Macrophilone A and a synthetic analogue displayed potent biological activity, including increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and submicromolar cytotoxicity toward lung adenocarcinoma cells.