Halogenated volatiles from the fungusGeniculosporiumand the actinomyceteStreptomyces chartreusis
Two unidentified chlorinated volatilesXandYwere detected in headspace extracts of the fungusGeniculosporium. Their mass spectra pointed to the structures of a chlorodimethoxybenzene forXand a dichlorodimethoxybenzene forY. The mass spectra of some constitutional isomers forXandYwere included in our databases and proved to be very similar, thus preventing a full structural assignment. For unambiguous structure elucidation all possible constitutional isomers forXandYwere obtained by synthesis or from commercial suppliers. Comparison of mass spectra and GC retention times rigorously established the structures of the two chlorinated volatiles. Chlorinated volatiles are not very widespread, but brominated or even iodinated volatiles are even more rare. Surprisingly, headspace extracts fromStreptomyces chartreusiscontained methyl 2-iodobenzoate, a new natural product that adds to the small family of iodinated natural products.