Isolation of secondary metabolites from Hortia oreadica (Rutaceae) leaves through high-speed counter-current chromatography

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system (hexane–ethanol–acetonitrile–water 10:8:1:1, v/v) was applied to examine the leaves of Hortia oreadica, which afforded the known limonoid guyanin (1), the alkaloids rutaecarpin (2) and dictamnine (6), the dihydrocinnamic acid derivatives methyl 5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-propanoate (3), 5,8-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-propanoic acid (4), together with the new E-3,4-dimethoxy-α(3-hydroxy-4-carbomethoxyphenyl)cinnamic acid (5). The recovery of compounds 1–6 was determined by comparison with LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization MS/MS data: 66.2%, 93.1%, 102.5%, 101.2%, 99.0% and 84.9%, respectively. Compound 3 showed IC₅₀ of 23.6 μM against Plasmodium falciparum and 15.6 μM against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesienses and was not toxic to KB cells (IC₅₀ > 100 μM).     

A xanthone and a polyketide derivative from the leaves of Cassia obtusifolia (Leguminosae)

A new xanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylxantone and a new polyketide derivative, (4R^∗,5S^∗,6E,8Z)-ethyl-4-((E)-but-1-enyl)-5-hydroxypentdeca-6,8-dienoate, together with 20 known secondary metabolites, including 2 steroids, 4 xanthones, 10 anthraquinones, 2 triterpenoids, 1 fatty ester, and (E)-eicos-14-enoic acid, were isolated from the leaves of Cassia obtusifolia. To the best of our knowledge, the last compound was isolated from a natural source for the first time. The structures of all the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Some of the compounds were tested against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans ATCC 9002, and Candida tropicalis, they did not show any activity.     

New briaranes from the octocorals Briareum excavatum (Briareidae) and Junceella fragilis (Ellisellidae)

Six 12-hydroxybriaranes, including four new diterpenoids, briaexcavatins I-L (1-4), and two known metabolites, excavatolides C (5) and E (6), have been isolated from the cultured scleraxonia Briareum excavatum. In addition, the gorgonian coral Junceella fragilis yielded a new chlorinated briarane, fragilide C (10). The structures of above compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and the structures of 5 and 6 were further confirmed by X-ray data analysis for the first time. The absolute configuration of 6 was elucidated by chemical conversion. Some of these briaranes have displayed inhibitory effects on superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils.     

(Z)-N-(4-Decenoyl)homoserine lactone, a new quorum-sensing molecule, produced by endobacteria associated with Mortierella alpina A-178

N-Acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) are the conserved quorum-sensing signal molecules in Gram-negative bacteria. (Z)-N-(4-Decenoyl)homoserine lactone (1), a new AHL, was isolated from the culture broth of the fungus Mortierella alpina A-178 harboring bacterial endosymbionts, called endobacteria. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated by EI-MS, chemical synthesis, and chiral GC analysis. The compound induced the expression of a QS-regulated reporter gene in Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4, although its activity was lower than that of N-decanoylhomoserine lactone (6).     

Synthesis, structural and larvicidal studies of some triorganotin 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrates

A series of triorganotin 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrates, (R₃SnO₂CCH(CH(CH₃)₂)C₆H₄Cl-4), where R = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, phenyl and cyclo-hexyl, have been synthesized. Elemental analyses, Mössbauer, Infrared and NMR spectroscopies have been used to characterize their structures. Based on the spectroscopic results, all the complexes with the exception of the tricyclohexyl compound were found to be five-coordinated in the solid state while the tricyclohexyltin derivative was determined to be four-coordinated. Structural assignments based on spectroscopic data are supported by the crystallographic results of four of the triorganotin butyrates (trimethyl-, tri-n-propyl-, tri-n-butyl- and tricyclohexyltin 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate). Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy studies indicated that all the complexes were tetrahedral in solution. Larvicidal activities of the complexes were evaluated against the 2nd instar stage of the Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The toxicity data indicate that there does not appear to be any significant differences of the compounds towards the different mosquito species based on their averaged toxicity values. In addition, the toxicity of the triorganotin compounds towards the mosquito larvae was concluded to be dependent on both the compound and the species of mosquito larvae.     

Reactions of Ru(Cp) complexes with P(o-tolyl)3

Reaction of [Ru(Cp^∗)(CH₃CN)₃](PF₆) with P(o-tolyl)₃ affords [Ru(Cp^∗){(η⁶-o-tolyl)P(o-tolyl)₂}](PF₆) (4) in which the P-atom is not coordinated to the metal. The solid-state structure of 4 has been determined. A related reaction with P(p-tolyl)₃ reveals a small quantity [Ru(Cp^∗){(η⁶-p-tolyl)P(o-tolyl)₂}](PF₆), in solution, but mostly the expected bis-phosphine complex. Reaction of the Ru(IV) dication, [Ru(Cp^∗)(η³-PhCHCHCH₂)(DMF)₂](PF₆)₂, with P(o-tolyl)₃ gives a mixture of the phosphonium salt, C₆H₅CHCHCH₂P(o-tolyl)₃ (9) and the dication [Ru(Cp^∗) (η⁶-C₆H₅CHCHCH₂P(o-tolyl)₃)](PF₆)₂ (10). Salt 9 forms via attack of the P-atom on the allyl ligand. The latter product results from complexation of 9 via the phenyl group of the former allyl ligand. It would seem that the sterically demanding P(o-tolyl)₃ ligand is not readily compatible with the Ru(Cp^∗) fragment, in either the +2 or +4 oxidation state. Detailed NMR studies are reported.     

Coordination to copper(II) strongly enhances the in vitro antimicrobial activity of pyridine-derived N(4)-tolyl thiosemicarbazones

Five copper(II) complexes with N(4)-ortho, N(4)-meta and N(4)-para-tolyl thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-formyl and 2-acetylpyridine were obtained and thoroughly characterized. The crystal structure of N(4)-meta-tolyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Ac4mT) was determined, as well as that of its copper(II) complex [Cu(2Ac4mT)Cl], which contains an anionic ligand and a chloride in the coordination sphere of the metal. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of all thiosemicarbazones and their copper(II) complexes were tested against Salmonella typhimurium and Candida albicans. Upon coordination a substantial decrease in the minimum inhibitory concentration, from 225 to 1478 μmol L⁻¹ for the thiosemicarbazones to 5–30 μmol L⁻¹ for the complexes was observe against the growth of Salmonella typhimurium and from 0.7–26 to 0.3–7 μmol L⁻¹ against the growth of C. albicans, suggesting that complexation to copper(II) could be an interesting strategy of dose reduction.     

Phytoremediation of lead with green onions (Allium fistulosum) and uptake of arsenic compounds by moonlight ferns (Pteris cretica cv Mayii)

Phytoremediation has been investigated as an alternative to excavation to remediate contamination in soil. In this work, Allium fistulosum (green onions) and Pteris cretica cv Mayii (moonlight ferns) were investigated for phytoremediation. Green onions were planted in lead-spiked soil, and chelating agents were introduced to enhance the uptake of lead by the plants. Lead uptake was low in the absence of chelating reagents. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) significantly enhanced the concentration of lead in the stems of green onions, while propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) did not induce lead absorption.Moonlight ferns (P. cretica cv Mayii) were planted in a hydroponic system to which arsenic (III), arsenic (V), and monomethylarsenate (MMA) were added with hydroponic solution. Ferns exposed to arsenic (III) showed the highest extraction of arsenic followed by ferns exposed to arsenic (V). The extraction of arsenic by the ferns was higher when arsenic (III) was mixed with arsenic (V) than the combination of arsenic (III) and MMA. These results suggest that inorganic arsenic is phytoextracted preferentially to MMA.     

Identification and quantification of 13 components in Angelica sinensis (Danggui) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with pressurized liquid extraction

Angelica sinensis (Danggui in Chinese), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is also used as a health food product for women's care in Europe and America. Therefore, the demand for Danggui is enormous throughout the world. Due to the shortage of Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas are commonly used as the substitutes of Danggui in the market of southeast Asia. However, the three common Angelica roots showed variation in their genetic and chemical composition. Up to date, it is thought that ferulic acid, ligustilide and other phthalides such as butylidenephthalide are the biologically active components of Danggui. In this paper, the contents of 13 compounds including ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide, E-butylidenephthalide, 3-butylphthalide, 3-butylidene-4-hydroxyphthalide, senkyunolide A, 6,7-epoxyligustilide, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide I, and 6,7-dihydroxyligustilide were determined or estimated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The results showed that GC-MS coupled with PLE offered a simple, rapid and high sensitive method to analysis of components in Angelica root. And the contents of investigated compounds in Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas, which are used as Danggui in China, Japan and Korea, respectively, were highly variant. It is thought that interaction of multiple chemical compounds contributes to the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines. However, the overall clinical efficacy of these different Danggui has not been determined. Therefore, comparison of chemical components and pharmacological activities of different Angelica root is helpful to elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic effects of Danggui.     

Chemomicrobial synthesis of (R)- and (S)-lavandulol

(R)- and (S)-Lavandulol are important compounds in the cosmetics industry and in pheromone research. We have developed syntheses of (R)- and (S)-lavandulol from (S)- and (R)-limonene, respectively, by microbial Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the intermediate unsaturated hydroxy ketone. It has been found that the same strain of Acremonium roseum can be successfully used in the key step of the synthesis of both enantiomers of lavandulol.     

Engineering of pha operon on Cupriavidus necator chromosome for efficient biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) from vegetable oil

Cupriavidus necator H16C_Ac, previously constructed for production of poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] from soybean oil, was further engineered aiming to increase 3HHx composition in the copolyester. PHA synthase gene derived from Aeromonas caviae on the H16C_Ac chromosome was replaced by a gene encoding the N149S/D171G mutant and this recombination enhanced PHA productivity as well as slightly increased 3HHx composition. Manipulation of phaA_Cn locus partially reduced the amount of 3HB unit concomitantly with relative increase of 3HHx composition, whereas deletion of phaB1_Cn resulted in drastic decline of 3HB unit in P(3HB-co-3HHx). Insertion of phaJ_Ac encoding (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase from A. caviae into pha operon significantly enlarged 3HHx fraction without negative effects on the cell growth and polyester accumulation. Consequently, efficient production of P(3HB-co-3HHx) with 3HHx composition of 5.7-9.9 mol% was successfully achieved from soybean oil by the engineered strains.     

Synthesis and structure of a 1,6-hexyldiamine heptaborate, [H3N(CH2)6NH3][B7O10(OH)3]

A new 1,6-hexyldiamine heptaborate, [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃][B₇O₁₀(OH)₃] (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n with a=8.042(2) Å, b=20.004(4) Å, c=10.103(2) Å, and β=90.42(3)°. The anionic [B₇O₁₀(OH)₃]_n²ⁿ⁻ layers are interlinked via hydrogen bonding to form a 3D supramolecular network containing large channels, in which the templated [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃]²⁺ cations are located.     

Synthesis and hybridization affinity of oligodeoxyribonucleotides incorporating 4-N-(N-arylcarbamoyl)deoxycytidine derivatives

Modified oligodeoxynucleotides incorporating 4-N-(N-arylcarbamoyl)-dC derivatives 1a-c were synthesized. The ¹H NMR spectra of 1a-c suggest that the carbamoyl group forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the cytosine ring nitrogen atom so that formation of a Watson-Crick base pair with the complementary guanine base is inhibited. The hybridization properties of oligodeoxynucleotides containing 1a-c were investigated by use of T_m analysis. The hybridization properties of 4-N-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-dC (1a) were similar to those of 4-N-(N-alkylcarbamoyl)-dC derivatives reported previously. In sharp contrast to 1a, it turned out that 4-N-(N-napht-1-yl) and (N-quionol-5-yl)-dC (1b,c) have a unique property as a universal base.     

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of Spodoptera litura was carried out. Substrate was converted to three new terpenoids, (+)-(1R,2S)-10-hydroxyfenchol, (+)-(1R,2R,3S)-8-hydroxyfenchol and (−)-(1S,2S,6S)-6-exo-hydroxyfenchol, and one known terpenoid, (−)-(1R,2R,3R)-9-hydroxyfenchol. These structures were established by NMR, IR, specific rotation and mass spectral studies.     

Comb copolymers of polystyrene-poly(tert-butyl (meth)acrylate) prepared by combination of nitroxide mediated polymerization and photoinduced iniferter technique

Comb copolymers consisting of polystyrene backbone and poly(tert-butyl (meth)acrylate) side chains were synthesized by combination of nitroxide (TEMPO)-mediated polymerization (NMP) and photoinduced grafting from macro-iniferters. First, poly(chloromethylstyrene), PCMS, with the degree of polymerization and two random poly(styrene-co-chloromethylstyrene) copolymers, P(S-co-CMS), with similar but different content (8 and 14 mol%) of CMS units, were synthesized by NMP. In the second step the CMS units both in the homopolymer and the copolymers were converted to N,N-diethyldithiocarbamyl groups (DC) yielding photosensitive multifunctional macro-iniferters. Finally, tert-butyl methacrylate tBuMA was grafted from the synthesized polymer backbones by iniferter technique under UV-irradiation yielding copolymers polystyrene-graft-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) PS-g-P(tBuMA). Grafting initiated by the macro-iniferters containing ∼6-11 DC initiating sites per macromolecule proceeded by pseudo-living polymerization mechanism, i.e., the number-average molecular weight increased with conversion and the SEC traces were unimodal. In contrast, photo-polymerization initiated by highly functionalized polystyrene backbone was poorly controlled. Hydrolysis of loosely grafted copolymers PS-g-P(tBuMA) afforded amphiphilic copolymers polystyrene-graft-poly(methacrylic acid). Molecular parameters of the synthesized graft copolymers in dilute THF solutions were determined by scattering (DLS, SLS, SAXS) and viscometric measurements.     

Preparation, spectroscopic properties of 1,4-di (N,N-diisopropylacetamido)-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (L) lanthanide complexes and the supramolecular structure of [Nd2L2(NO3)6(H2O)2]·H2O

The reaction of lanthanide nitrate with 1,4-di (N,N-diisopropylacetamido)-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (L) yields six novel Ln(III) complexes ([Ln₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O) which are characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), conductivity measurements, IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. A new quinoxalinedione-based ligand is used as antenna ligand to sensitize the emission of lanthanide cations. The lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand in the nitrate complex matches better to the resonance level of Eu(III) and Sm(III) than Tb(III) and Dy(III) ion. The f-f fluorescence is induced in the Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ complexes by exciting into the π-π* absorptions of the ligand in the UV. Furthermore, the crystal structures of a novel binuclear complex [Nd₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The binuclear [Nd₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O complex units are linked by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions to form a two-dimensional (2-D) layer supramolecule.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.     

Synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin

A convergent synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)-rollicosin (1) and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin (2) was accomplished. Hydroxy lactone 6a and/or 6b were synthesized from 4-pentyn-1-ol, and α,β-unsaturated lactone 7 was synthesized from γ-lactone 8 and 5-hexen-1-ol. Inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I.     

Crystal growth and structural investigation of A2BReO6 (A=Sr, Ba; B=Li, Na)

Single crystals of the double perovskite rhenates A₂BReO₆ (A=Sr, Ba; B=Li, Na) were grown out of molten hydroxide fluxes. Single crystals of orange/yellow Ba₂LiReO₆, Ba₂NaReO₆ and Sr₂LiReO₆ were solved in the cubic, Fm-3m space group with a=8.1214(11) Å, 8.2975(3) Å, and 7.9071(15) Å, respectively, while Sr₂NaReO₆ was determined to be monoclinic P2₁/n with a=5.6737(6) Å, b=5.7988(6) Å, c=8.0431(8) Å, and β=90.02(6) °. The cubic structure consists of a rock salt lattice of corner-shared ReO₆ and MO₆ (M=Li, Na) octahedra which, in the monoclinic structure, are both tilted and rotated. A discrepancy exists between the symmetry of Sr₂LiReO₆ indicated by the single-crystal refinement of flux-grown crystals (cubic, Fm-3m) and the symmetry indicated by the powder diffraction data collected on polycrystalline samples prepared by the ceramic method (tetragonal, I4/m). It is possible that the cubic crystals are a kinetic product that forms in small quantities at low temperatures, while the powder represents the more stable polymorph that forms at higher reaction temperature.     

Crystal Structure of Pseudorhombohedral InFe1−xTixO3+x/2 (x=2/3)

The structure of pseudorhombohedral-type InFe_1−xTi_xO_3−x/2 (x=2/3) was refined by Rietveld profile fitting. The crystal is a commensurate member of a series in a solution range on InFeO₃-In₂Ti₂O₇ including incommensurate structures. The structure with the unit cell of a=5.9188(1), b=10.1112(2), and c=6.3896(1) Å, β=108.018(2)°, and a space group P2₁/a is the alternate stacking of an edge-shared InO₆ octahedral layer and an Fe/Ti-O plane along c^*. Metal sites on the Fe/Ti-O plane are surrounded by four oxygen atoms on the Fe/Ti-O plane and two axial ones. Electric conductivities of the order 10⁻⁴ S/cm were observed for the samples at 1000 K, while the oxide ion transport number is almost zero as no electromotive force was detected by an oxygen concentration cell.