<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-conformers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chloroacetylcytisine

N-Chloroacetylcytisine was synthesized by acylation of (–)-cytisine. Stable Z- and E-conformers with respect to rotational isomerism around the N-12–CO bond were found in PMR spectra at room temperature. The point at which PMR resonances of the Z- and E-conformers coalesced upon heating was measured. The transition barrier between the conformers was estimated.     

New tin(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">iv</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iminosemiquinone complexes

New tin(iv) mono- and bis-o-iminosemiquinone complexes were obtained by the exchange reaction of radical anion lithium salt of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-imino-benzoquinone with tin(iv) organochlorides. The compounds synthesized were characterized by EPR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Substituents on the tin atom were found to affect stability of paramagnetic metal derivatives formed.     

New neolignan glycosides and a new cerebroside from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symplocos caudata</Emphasis>

A phytochemical investigation of the roots of Symplocos caudata Wall (Symplocaceae) resulted in the isolation and characterization of two optical isomers of a neolignan glycoside (1) and a new cerebroside (2). Their structures were elucidated as (7R,8S)-erythro-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (7S,8R)-erythro-7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan-4-O-β-Dglucopyranoside (1), and 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,8Z,12E)-2-N-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxyheptacosanoyl]-8,12-docosadiene-1,3,4-triol (2), respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, MS and CD).     

A new ten-membered lactone from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubercularia</Emphasis> sp<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis> TF5, an endophytic fungus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus mairei</Emphasis>

One new ten-membered lactone (1) named (Z)-4,6,9-trihydroxy-10-nonyl-3,4,5,6,9,10-hexahydrooxecin-2-one along with 5-methoxycarbonylmellein (2) and cytochalasin D (3) were isolated from the culture of the endophytic fungus strain Tubercularia sp. TF5, originally separated from the inner bark of Taxus mairei obtained in Fujian Province, Southeast China. The structures of compounds 1–3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of 1 were analyzed but it showed no significant activities.     

Prilezhaev dihydroxylation of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-octadec-9<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-en-7-0l

Formation of new asymmetric centers with primarily the (S)-configuration was induced by the optically active center of (R)-octadec-9Z-en-7-ol upon Prilezhaev dihydroxylation. This was proved by cyclization of a 1,3-glycol system (de 26%) into the corresponding 1,3-dioxane stereoisomers.     

Two isomeric fourteen-membered bis-dithioacetals derived from (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-but-2-ene-1,4-dithiols

(Z)-But-2-ene-1,4-dithiol was found to undergo isomerization into the E isomer. Condensation of (Z)- and (E)-but-2-ene-1,4-dithiols with acetaldehyde gave isomeric fourteen-membered bis-dithioacetals whose structure was determined by X-ray analysis.     

ESR studies on solvation by using <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-butyl trifluoroacetyl nitroxide probe

Stable s-butyl trifluoroacetyl nitroxide (3) has been generated in electron-transfer reaction of O-benzoyl-N-s-butylhydroxylamine (1) and trifluoroacetyl peroxide (2) in F113 (CFCl₂CF₂Cl) solution at room temperature. ESR measurement of a _N and a _H values for 3 in 21 solvents has been carried out at 24~ 25°C. The a _N values for 3 in 12 aprotic solvents show a linear correlation with the cybotactic solvent parameters E _T and Z, i.e. a _N = 1.35×10-² E _T+6.84, a _N = 0.78×10-² Z+6.88. The physical significance for the slopes, slope × E _T or slope × Z, the extrapolated intercepts on the a _N axis are linked to the sensitivity of the nitroxide toward the solvation, the magnitude of the overall solvaton effect on the a _N values, and the intrinsic a _N value of 3 in the ideal gaseous state, respectively. The plots of a _N versus noncybotactic solvent constants, such as dipolar moment () and dielectric constant (), all show random cases.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-allyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propargyl trifluoromethanesulfonimides. Theoretical analysis

Tautomers of N-allyl- and N-propargyl-substituted trifluoromethanesulfonimides (CF₃SO₂)₂NR (R = CH₂CH=CH₂, Z/E-CH=CHMe, CH₂C≡CH, CH=CH=CH₂, C≡CCH₂) were calculated by the DFT (B3LYP, wB97XD, PBE1PBE), MP2, and CBS-QB3 methods. The results were compared with the theoretical data for the corresponding amines and amides NHRR¹ (R¹ = H, CF₃SO₂). It was shown that there is no conjugation between the nitrogen atom and C=C bond and that conjugation exists with the C≡C bond with electron density displacement toward the nitrogen atom. The calculations of anions derived from N-allyl- and N-propargyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimides revealed the possibility of their rearrangement with elimination of trifluoromethanesulfinate anion and formation of its H-complex with N-(prop-2-en-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide or N-(prop-2-yn-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide.     

A new ceramide from the root of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isatis Indigotica</Emphasis> and its cytotoxic activity

In addition to two ceramides 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R)-N-(2'-hydroxyhexadecanoyl)-octadeca-4E,8Esphingenine (2) and (2S,3S,4R)-N-(2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl)-octadecasphingenine (3), which separated for the first time, a new ceramide 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R)-N-(2'-hydroxyhexacosanoyl)octadecasphingenine (1) was isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Isatis indigotica. Their cytotoxic effects were evaluated by the MTT method.     

Molecular properties of the copolymers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diallyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylammonium chloride and maleic acid

The hydrodynamic and conformational properties of molecules of poly(N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride) and N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride-maleic acid copolymers of different compositions in solutions with various ionic-strength and pH values, as well as of the polyelectrolyte complex based on the copolymer with dodecyl sulfate anions in chloroform, are studied. For poly(N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride) molecules in a 1 M NaCl solution, the Kuhn segment length and the hydrodynamic diameter of the chain are estimated as A = 3.9 nm and d = 0.48 nm, respectively. In acidic solutions with pH 3.5, the copolymers demonstrate behavior typical for polyelectrolytes. In an alkaline solution with pH 13, when 1 M NaCl is added to the solution of the copolymer containing 29 mol % maleic acid units, there is an antipolyelectrolyte effect that manifests itself as an increase in the intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer and in the hydrodynamic radius of its molecules. It is found that an increase in the fraction of maleic acid units in the copolymer from 12 to 42 mol % brings about a reduction in the equilibrium rigidity of its macromolecules from 4.1 to 2.2 nm. The equilibrium rigidity of polyelectrolyte-complex molecules is higher than that of initial copolymer molecules owing to steric interactions arising between the aliphatic chains of dodecyl sulfate anions. In an electric field, the molecules of the complex are oriented owing to the induced dipole moment resulting from the displacement of dodecyl sulfate anions along the chain contour.     

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mn</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">SOD</Emphasis> Gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nelumbo nucifera</Emphasis>

A rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) assay was established to achieve the complete sequence of mitochondrial manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) cDNA in Nelumbo nucifera. The obtained full-length cDNA of Mn-SOD was 926 bp and contained a 699-bp open reading frame encoding an Mn-SOD precursor of 233 amino acids. The recombinant of Mn-SOD expressed by PET-32a vector in Escherichia coli BL21 was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting assays. A 3D structural model of the Mn-SOD was constructed by homology modeling. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Mn-SOD mRNA was expressed in young leaves, blossom, stems, and terminal buds during reproductive stage but with the highest expression in young leaves. This significant difference demonstrated the differential expression of Mn-SOD in various organs of N. nucifera.     

Cyclofunctionalization of 6-alkenylsulfanylpyrazolo[3,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]-pyrimidin-4(5<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-ones with arenesulfenyl chlorides

Reactions of 6-allylsulfanylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one with arenesulfenyl chlorides in chloroform gave products of addition of the latter at the exocyclic double bond, while analogous reactions in acetic acid in the presence of LiClO₄ were accompanied by intramolecular electrophilic cyclization involving the N⁷ atom. 6-Cinnamylsulfanylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one reacted with arenesulfenyl chlorides in acetic acid in the absence of electrolyte to produce fused pyrazolo[4′,3′: 5,6]pyrimido[2,1-b][1,3]thiazine derivatives. Introduction of a bulky phenyl group into position 1 of the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine system reduces the yield of the corresponding intramolecular cyclization product at N⁷ as a result of concurrent formation of acyclic addition product. DOI     

New lignans from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa reticulata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">mandshurica</Emphasis>

In the search for platelet-activating-factor (PAF) antagonists, two new lignan compounds were isolated from the leaves of Syringa reticulata Hara var. mandshurica. Their structures were elucidated as (7R,8S, 8'S)-3,4,3',4'-dimethylenedioxy-8,9-dihydroxy-8.8', 7-O-9'-lignan (mandshuricol A) and (7R,8S,8'S)-3',4'methylenedioxy-4-methoxy-3,8,9-trihydroxy-8.8', 7-O-9'-lignan (mandshuricol B), Mandshuricol A and B showed antagonistic activity on PAF in the [³H] PAF receptor binding assay with IC₅₀ values of 4.8 × 10^–5 M and 3.5 × 10^–5 M, respectively.     

Syntheses of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3-styrylchromones

Several (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones were prepared by two different methodologies, the Wittig reaction of chromone-3-carboxaldehyde with benzylic ylides and the Knoevenagel condensation of chromone-3-carboxaldehyde with phenylacetic acids in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide under microwave irradiation. The Knoevenagel reaction followed by a decarboxylation offered an efficient and diastereoselective method for preparing (E)-3-styrylchromones in a shorter reaction time. It was also demonstrated that phenylacetic acid can also be substituted with success by phenylmalonic acid. The stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments. Correspondence: Artur M. S. Silva, Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.     

Heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl 1-phenylethylcarbamate

An N-tert-butyloxycarbonylated organic synthesis intermediate, (S)-tert-butyl 1-phenylethylcarbamate, was prepared and investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The molar heat capacities of (S)-tert-butyl 1-phenylethylcarbamate were precisely determined by means of adiabatic calorimetry over the temperature range of 80-380 K. There was a solid–liquid phase transition exhibited during the heating process with the melting point of 359.53 K. The molar enthalpy and entropy of this transition were determined to be 29.73 kJ mol⁻¹ and 82.68 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ based on the experimental C _p–T curve, respectively. The thermodynamic functions, [H_T⁰ - H_298.15⁰ H_{T}^{0} - H_{298.15}^{0} ] and [S_T⁰ - S_298.15⁰ S_{T}^{0} - S_{298.15}^{0} ], were calculated from the heat capacity data in the temperature range of 80–380 K with an interval of 5 K. TG experiment showed that the pyrolysis of the compound was started at the temperature of 385 K and terminated at 510 K within one step.     

Synthesis and structures of benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">cd</Emphasis>]furo[2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>]indol-4(5<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-one derivatives

A procedure was developed for the synthesis of derivatives of the new heterocyclic system, benzo[cd]furo[2,3-f]indole, based on the cyclodehydration of 6-acylmethyloxy-1-alkyl-benzo[cd]indol-2(1H)-ones. Either 7- or 8-aryl derivatives of benzo[cd]furo[2,3-f]indol-4(5H)-ones can be prepared depending on the reaction conditions. The molecular and crystal structures of 7- and 8-phenylbenzo[cd]furo[2,3-f]indol-4(5H)-ones were established by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of 5<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>,9<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-tridecadien-1-ylacetate,an attractant of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis>

A new synthetic scheme for 5Z,9E-tridecadien-1-ylacetate, an attractant of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Huebner) was developed using a highly stereoselective Claisen rearrangement.     

Secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Annulohypoxylon boveri</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">microspora</Emphasis> BCRC 34012

A chemical study on the n-BuOH-soluble fraction of the 95% EtOH extract of long-grain rice (Oryza sativa) fermented with the endophytic fungus Annulohypoxylon boveri var. microspora (BCRC 34012) has resulted in the isolation of one new natural azaphilone derivative, designated as annulohypoxyboverin (1) together with 12 known compounds, (3R,6R,7E)-3-hydroxy-4,7-megstigma-dien-9-one (2), α-tocopheryl quinone (3), isofraxidin (4), coumarin (5), cinnamic acid (6), a mixture of palmitic acid (7) and stearic acid (8), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (9), luteolin (10), kaempferol (11), kaempferitrin (12), and 4,5,4′,5′-tetrahydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (13). Annulohypoxyboverin (1) contains a dihydrobenzofuran-2,4-dione backbone, 1-hydroxyhexyl side chain, and one γ-lactone ring. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and by HR-ESI-MS. The relative configuration of 1 was confirmed by NOESY experiment. Other known compounds were identified by comparing their spectral data with those of literature data.     

Molecular structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine

The molecular structures of N-(o-and p-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine were investigated by NMR spectroscopy, x-ray structure analysis, and molecular modeling. It was found that NMR resonances of the OH and aromatic protons in N-(o-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine were doubled because of the presence of two conformers in solution. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 165–168, March–April, 2008.     

Antioxidant flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamus communis</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">cretica</Emphasis>

A new flavonoid, kaempferol-3,4′-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), and three known flavonoids (2–4) were isolated from the aerial parts of T. communis L. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 187.151 ± 0.821 μM, and 92.079±0.513 μM, respectively), whereas compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate activity in DPPH free radical scavenging assays. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 295–297, May–June, 2009.