The molecule is a carotenone that consists of beta,beta-caroten-4-one bearing two hydroxy substituents at positions 3 and 3' (the 3S,3'R diastereomer). It has a role as an algal metabolite, an animal metabolite, a marine metabolite, a bacterial metabolite, a plant metabolite and an antineoplastic agent. It is a cyclic ketone, a secondary alcohol and a carotenone.
(6S)-6-hydroxy-3-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-18-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one