Abstract

Canelo (Drimys winteri J.R., Winteraceae) is a native tree of center-south of Chile, which is sacred for theMapuche, the native people of this area. Thirteen drimane sesquiterpenoids have been reported as main secondary metabolites from leaves and bark of D. winteri. Their biological activities range from the activation of calcium ion channels to antimicrobial and antiparasite activity. The drimane sesquiterpenoids share a trans-fused decaline skeleton with an angular methyl group at C-10 and a gem-dimethylgroup at C-4. This chapter highlights procedures for their isolation from the natural source, the structure elucidation using high-field NMR-methods, including 2D-NMR-spectroscopy, their biosynthesis and bioactivities as well as strategies for their chemical synthesis.