Total syntheses of (+/-)-gusanlung a, (+/-)-gusanlung D and 8-oxyberberrubine and the uncertainty concerning the structures of (-)-gusanlung A, (-)-gusanlung D and 8-oxyberberrubine.

(+/-)-Gusanlung A, 8-oxyberberrubine and (+/-)-gusanlung D have been synthesized by radical cyclisation of the corresponding 2-aroyl-1-methylenetetra- hydroisoquinolines. The (1)H and (13)C spectra of (-)-gusanlung D were found to be different from those of synthetic (+/-)-gusanlung D. Careful analyses of the (13)C spectra of (-)-gusanlung A and natural 8-oxyberberrubine also cast doubt on the correctness of the structures previously assigned to these two compounds. (+/-)-Gusanlung A and (+/-)-gusanlung D were inactive against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25932, Escherichia coli ATCC10536 and Candida albicans ATCC90028.