Lignans from Torreya jackii identified by stopped-flow high-performance liquid chromatography–nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Coupled reversed-phase HPLC–NMR spectroscopy has been applied to the rapid detection and identification of plant metabolites of Torreya jackii, a species of Taxaceae. Analysis consisted of gradient HPLC elution and directly coupled 1H NMR (500 MHz) spectroscopic detection in a stopped-flow mode. Seven lignans were detected and their structures were elucidated, based on their HPLC–1H NMR spectra and MS data. The structures were confirmed by isolation of the single components followed by conventional NMR measurements.