It has a molecular weight of 302.5 g/mol, and has been studied for its various biological activities, including antimicrobial, antibacterial and antitumor effects, and its use as a synthetic building block for other compounds.[4]
Communic acid belongs to thelabdane family ofditerpenes and possesses a carboxylic acid functional group. It occurs mainly as two geometric isomers: the trans (E) and cis (Z) forms, which differ in the configuration of the double bond at C-13–C-14. Its molecular formula is C20H32O2, and it features a bicyclic skeleton typical of labdane diterpenes.
Communic acid and its derivatives have been isolated from the resins ofJuniperus communis,Austrocedrus chilensis, and other conifers.[5] These resin acids play a defensive role in plants, deterring herbivores and inhibiting microbial growth.[6]
Recently, (+)-communic acid was isolated from the branches ofPlatycladus orientalis. This acid seems to exhibit protective effects against UVB-induced skin aging.[7]
Communic acid and its related diterpenes have shown antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities in laboratory studies.[8] In organic synthesis, communic acid serves as a chiral building block (chiron) for constructing complex natural products.
^Jlizi, Salma; Zardi-Bergaoui, Afifa; Znati, Mansour; Flamini, Guido; Ascrizzi, Roberta; Ben Jannet, Hichem (2018). "Chemical composition and biological evaluation of the resin from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl.) Masters: A promising source of bioactive secondary metabolites".Industrial Crops and Products.124. Elsevier BV:74–83.doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.07.055.ISSN0926-6690.
