A protoilludane sesquiterpene (named xanthocerapene) was isolated from the wood of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. Its structure, including the relative configuration was established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. A protoilludane sesquiterpene (named xanthocerapene) was isolated from the wood of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. Its structure, including the relative configuration was established by spectroscopic and chemical methods.