The structures IIIa and IVa suggested for putranjic and putranjivic acids respectively have been confirmed by the synthesis of methyl putranjivate (IVb) from friedel-3-ene (IX). Putranjic acid has been shown to have S-configuration (IIIa) at C2.
Putranjic acid, isolated from Putranjiva roxburghii has been synthesized from friedelane-2,3-dione and has been shown to be (2S)-2-hydroxy-3,4-seco-friedelan-3-oic acid.