On the Decay Retardant Properties of Some Tropolones.

The heartwoods of tree species containing tropolone compounds in their extractive components are classed among the more durable woods. Two new tropolones, namely, alpha-thujaplicinol and pygmaein from the heartwood of Cupressus pygmaea, were also found to exhibit strong fungitoxic properties active against a number of wood-destroying fungi. The hydroxyl group appears to be the functional grouping which is largely responsible for the fungicidal action exhibited by this type of compound.