Four new 3,5-cyclosteroidal saponins from Dracaena surculosa

Further search for steroidal compounds contained in Dracaena surculosa (Agavaceae) led to the isolation of two new 3,5-cyclospirostanol saponins (1, 2) and two new 3,5-cyclofurostanol saponins (3, 4). Their structural assignment was established by spectroscopic analysis and a few chemical transformations as (24S,25R)-1beta-[(beta-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclospirostan-24-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (24S,25R)-1beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclospirostan-24-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (25S)-1beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-22alpha-methoxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclofurostan-26-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (25S)-1beta-[(beta-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-22alpha-methoxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclofurostan-26-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), respectively.     

Rhodiolosides A-E, monoterpene glycosides from Rhodiola rosea

Five new monoterpene glycosides, rhodiolosides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the roots of Rhodiola rosea (Crassulaceae). Their structures were elucidated as (2E,6E,4R)-4,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl alpha-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), (2E,4R)-4,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), and (2E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation.     

Five new nortropane alkaloids and six new amino acids from the fruit of Morus alba LINNE growing in Turkey

Investigation of the constituents of the fruits of Morus alba LINNE (Moraceae) afforded five new nortropane alkaloids (1-5) along with nor-psi-tropine (6) and six new amino acids, morusimic acids A-F (7-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined to be 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (1), 2beta,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (2), 2alpha,3beta,6exo-trihydroxynortropane (3), 2alpha,3beta,4alpha-rihydroxynortropane (4), 3beta,6exo-dihydroxynortropane (5), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (8), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-1(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (10), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid (12) on the basis of spectral and chemical data.     

Antiangiogenic polyketides from Peperomia dindygulensis Miq

Two new polyketides: 2Z-(heptadec-12-enyl)-4-hydroxy-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-5(6H)-one (1) and 2-(heptadec-12-enyl)-5-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromen- 4-one (2), together with eleven known compounds: 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4-methylenedioxy- phenyl)tridecanoyl] cyclohexane-1,3-dione (3), oleiferinone (4), 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4- methylenedioxyphenyl)undecanoyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione (5), 4-hydroxy-2-[(11-phenyl- undecanoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (6), proctorione C (7), surinone C (8), 5-hydroxy- 7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone (9), 5-hydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (10), 5-hydroxy- 7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (11), 5,8-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (12) and cepharanone B (13) were isolated from the whole plant of Peperomia dindygulensis Miq. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2, 3, 5 and 8 inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and compounds 5 and 8 sharply suppressed HUVEC tube formation.     

Synthese des 6- und 7-Methyl-spiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-ons

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Synthesen folgender Verbindungen beschrieben: -(4-Hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)buttersäure, 4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-1-butanol, 7-Methyl-spiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-on, -(4-Hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)buttersäure und dessen Methylester, 4-(4-Hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-1-butanol und 6-Methyl-spiro[4.5]deca-6.9-dien-8-on.

---

The synthesis of the following compounds is described: -(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-butyric acid, 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-butanol-(1), 7-methyl-spiro[4.5]deca-6.9-dien-8-one, -(4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-butyric acid and its methyl ester, 4-(4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-butanol-(1) and 6-methyl-spiro[4.5]deca-6.9-dien-8-one.

     

Microbial metabolism. Part 7 : Curcumin

Microbial metabolism of the cancer chemopreventive agent, curcumin [(1E,6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione] (1) with Pichia anomala (ATCC 20170) yielded four major metabolites, 5-hydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)heptan-3-one (2), 5-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptan-3-one (3), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)heptan-3,5-diol (4), 5-hydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane-3-one (5) and two minor products, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane-3,5-diol (6) and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane-3,5-diol (7). The structures of compounds 2-5 were established on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 6 and 7 were assigned tentative structures.     

Studies on modified benzotriazoles as photostabilizers for poly(vinyl chloride)

It has been found that modified benzotriazoles: (2-(2-hydroxy-3-chlormethylacetamid-5-methylphenyl)2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3[(N,N-di-n-butyl)acetamidmethyl]-5-methyl-phenyl)2H-benzotriazole and 2-(2-hydroxy-3[(N,N-di-n-octyl)acetamidmethyl]-5-methyl-phenyl)2H-benzotriazole) have photostabilizing properties similar to those of Tinuvin P (2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)2H-benzotriazole) for the photo-oxidative degradation of PVC under 3665 and 2537 A. The migration rate of stabilizers in a polymer matrix is decreased by introducing long chain groups. The possible mechanism of photosensitization is discussed.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species VIII. Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U, from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb

Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) in low yield. Broussonetines R, S and T were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-3-[6-(4-hydroxybutyl)-cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyllpropyl] pyrrolidine (1), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,10S)-1,10,13-trihydroxytridecyl] pyrrolidine (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,5S)-1,5, 13-trihydroxy-10-oxo-tridecyl] pyrrolidine (3). And broussonetines U and V were proposed to be (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-5-(9-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5-pyrroline (4), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(E)-9-oxo-13-hydroxy-3-tridecenyl] pyrrolidine (5), respectively, by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

New stilbenoids from Pholidota yunnanensis and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Six new stilbenoids, a (bibenzyldihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin D (1), a bis(dihydrophenanthrene) ether designated phoyunnanin E (2), and four stilbenes designated phoyunbene A-D (3-6), were isolated from the air-dried whole plant of Pholidota yunnanensis ROLFE. The new compounds were identified as 7-[2-(3-hydroxyphenethyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methoxyphenoxy]-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1), 1-[(9,10-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-7-phenanthrenyl)oxy]-4,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',4',5-trimethoxystilbene (3), trans-3,4'-dihydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (4), trans-3,3'-dihydroxy-2',5-dimethoxystilbene (5), and trans-3-hydroxy-2',3',5-trimethoxystilbene (6) based on spectroscopic evidence. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of compounds 1-6 on nitric oxide production in a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma were examined.     

New phenolic principles from Hypericum sampsonii

Using the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV)-producing cell line MS-G2 in vitro cultural system-guided screening was performed, and two new benzophenones, 2,6-dihydroxy-4-[(E)-5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethylocta-2,7-dienyloxy]benzophenone (1) and 2,6-dihydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethylocta-2-enyloxy]benzophenone (2), a new xanthone, hyperxanthone (3), a new bisanthraquinone glycoside, R-(-)-skyrin-6-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (4), and 2-caffeoyloxy-3-hydroxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propyl alcohol (5), and 16 known compounds were isolated from the anti-HBV active fraction of the whole herbs of Hypericum sampsonii. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods, mainly 2D NMR and MS spectrometry. Circular dichroism was used to determine the stereochemistry of bisanthraquinone glycosides.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some derivatives of (7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-acetic acid hydrazide

(7-Hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-acetic acid hydrazide (2) was prepared from (7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-acetic acid ethyl ester (1) and 100% hydrazine hydrate. Compound 2, is the key intermediate for the synthesis of several series of new compounds such as Schiff's bases 3a-l, formic acid N'-[2-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H- chromen-4-yl)acetyl] hydrazide (4), acetic acid N'-[2-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4- yl)-acetyl] hydrazide (5), (7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-acetic acid N'-[2-(4- hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-2-oxoethyl] hydrazide (6), 4-phenyl-1-(7-hydroxy-2- oxo-2H-chromen- 4-acetyl) thiosemicarbazide (7), ethyl 3-{2-[2-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H- chromen-4-yl)-acetyl]hydrazono}butanoate (8), (7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)- acetic acid N'-[(4-trifluoromethylphenylimino)methyl] hydrazide (9) and (7-hydroxy-2- oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)acetic acid N'-[(2,3,4-trifluorophenylimino)-methyl] hydrazide (10). Cyclo- condensation of compound 2 with pentane-2,4-dione gave 4-[2-(3,5- dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-7-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (11), while with carbon disulfide it afforded 7-hydroxy-4-[(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl]-2H- chromen-2-one (12) and with potassium isothiocyanate it gave 7-hydroxy-4-[(5- mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (14). Compound 7 was cyclized to afford 2-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)-N -(4-oxo-2-phenylimino- thiazolidin-3-yl) acetamide (15).     

A new geranylated aromatic compound from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum

A new geranylated aromatic compound, 5-[(2'E)-3',7'-dimethyl-2',6'-octadienyl]-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-isoindolinone (1), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Hericium erinaceum (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Hericiaceae) together with three known sterols, 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-(22E)-ergosta-8(14),22-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol (2), (22E)-ergosta-7,9(11),22-triene-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol (3) and (22E)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta,5alpha,6alpha,9alpha-tetrol (4). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species. VII. Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines M, O, P, and Q, as inhibitors of glycosidase, from Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB

Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines M, O, P, and Q, were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB, (Moraceae). Broussonetines M, O, P, and Q were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(10S)-10,13-dihydroxy-tri decyl]pyrrolidine (1), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(E)9-oxo-13-hydroxy-3- tridecenyl]pyrrolidine (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(E)10-oxo-13-hydroxy-3-++ +tridecenyl]pyrrolidine (3), and (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxy-4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy++ +)-5-[10-oxo-13-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)tridecyl]pyrrolidine (4) respectively, by spectroscopic and chemical methods. 1-4 inhibited beta-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase and beta-mannosidase.     

The synthesis of azole derivatives from 3-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]propanehydrazide and its N′-phenylcarbamoyl derivatives, and their antibacterial activity

Abstract  

5-[2-[(4-Methylphenyl)amino]ethyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-thione, 5-[2-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]ethyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one, N-(2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-3-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]propanamide, and a series of N-[(phenylcarbamoyl)amino]-3-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]propanamides and 3-[(4-methylphenyl)(phenylcarbamoyl)amino]-N-[(phenylcarbamoyl)amino]propanamides, and their thio analogues were synthesized from 3-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]propanehydrazide. 1,3,4-Oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione was converted to 4-amino-2,4-dihydro-5-[2-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]ethyl]-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione, whereas cyclization of N′-phenylcarbamoyl derivatives provided thiazole, oxadiazoles, and thiadiazole, as well as triazole derivatives. Two of the synthesized compounds exhibited good antibacterial activity against Rhizobium radiobacter.     

Synthesis of derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminoacetophenone and <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzyl alcohol

Oxidation of 2′-hydroxy-8-methylspiro[4H-benz-1,3-oxazin-2-one-6,1′-cyclopentane] or N-mesyl-2-(cyclopent-1-en-1-yl)-6-methylaniline provided the corresponding ketones. The rearrangement of these ketones oximes under treatment with thionyl chloride gave rise to nitriles of 5-(2-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-oxopentanoic or 5-(2-methanesulfamido-3-methylphenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoic acids. By heating 5-(2-acetylamido-3-methylphenyl)-5-oxopentanoic acid with LiH in THF3-(2,8-dimethylquinol-4-on-3-yl)propanoic acid was obtained.     

Isolation of toxic compounds from wild Phaeocystis globosa

Two new compounds, namely taenialactam C and globorin A (1 and 2), as well as six known compounds, cornoside (3), 2-phenylethyl-b-D-glucoside (4), 3-isopropyl-5-acetoxycyclohexene-2-one-1 (5), 4-methyl-phenol (6), 5-[(2S)-2-aminobutyl]-2-methyl-phenol (7), and 1-(4-methylphenyl)-1-propanone (8) were isolated from wild Phaeocystis globosa. The structures of the new compounds were established by detailed spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with spectral data of related known compounds. The structures of the known compounds were identified by comparing their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. This paper also reports toxicity properties of the eight compounds against the brine shrimp Artemia salina and juvenile Epinephelus akaara fish. Some of these compounds showed significant lethality on the brine shrimp A. salina and the juvenile E. akaara fish.     

Reaction of 1,3,4,6-tetraketones with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-toluidine and benzaldehyde

Reactions of 1,6-diphenylhexane-1,3,4,6-tetraone, octane-2,4,5,7-tetra-one, and decane-3,5,6,8-tetraone with a mixture of p-toluidine and benzaldehyde afforded, respectively, 2-[4-benzoyl-3-hydroxy-1-(4-methylphenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]-1-phenylethanone, (1E)-1-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-1-(4-methylphenyl)-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ylidene]propan-2-one, and 2-hydroxy-1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(2-oxobutyl)-4-propanoyl-5-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-one.     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxo heterocycles: LXXV. Reaction of methyl 1-aryl-3-aroyl-4,5-dioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates with 1,3-diphenylguanidine. Crystalline and molecular structure of 9-Benzoyl-8-hydroxy-2-imino-6-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3-diphenyl-1,3,6-triazaspiro-[4.4]non-8-ene-4,7-dione

Methyl 1-aryl-3-aroyl-4,5-dioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates reacted with 1,3-diphenylguanidine to give the corresponding 6-aryl-9-aroyl-8-hydroxy-2-imino-1,3-diphenyl-1,3,6-triazaspiro[4.4]non-8-ene-4,7-diones. The molecular and crystalline structures of 9-benzoyl-8-hydroxy-2-imino-6-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3-diphenyl-1,3,6-triazaspiro[4.4]non-8-ene-4,7-dione were determined by X-ray analysis.     

Identification and biological activity of microbial metabolites of xanthohumol

Microbial transformation of xanthohumol using the culture broth of Cunninghamella echinulata NRRL 3655 afforded (2S)-8-[4"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-Z)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (5) and (2S)-8-[5"-hydroxy-3"-methyl-(2"-E)-butenyl]-4',7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (6). Xanthohumol (1) and flavanone 6 as well as (E)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":4',3']-2',4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (2), (2S)-2"-(2"'-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano[2",3":7,8]-4'-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (3) obtained with Pichia membranifaciens showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Chiral Cyclopentane-Based Mimics of D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate from D-Glucose

Two routes from D-glucose to chiral, ring-contracted analogs of the second messenger D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate are described. Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside was converted by an improved procedure into methyl 4,6-O-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (6) and thence into methyl 2-O-benzyl-3,4-bis-O-(p-methoxybenzyl)-alpha-D-gluco-hexodialdopyranoside (1,5) (14) in four steps. In the first ring-contraction method 14 was converted into methyl 2-O-benzyl-6,7-dideoxy-3,4-bis-O-(p-methoxybenzyl)-alpha-D-gluco-hept-6-enopyranoside (1,5) (15), which on sequential treatment with Cp(2)Zr(n-Bu)(2) followed by BF(3).Et(2)O afforded a mixture of (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-5-vinylcyclopentane (16) and its 4S,5R diastereoisomer 17. Removal of the p-methoxybenzyl groups of 16 and subsequent phosphorylation and deprotection afforded the first target compound, (1R,2R,3S,4R,5S)-3-hydroxy-1,2,4-tris(phosphonooxy)-5-vinylcyclopentane (3). In the second route, intermediate 14 was subjected to SmI(2)-mediated ring contraction to give (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (20). Benzylation of 20 provided (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-6-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-4-hydroxy-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (22) and (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (21), which were elaborated to the target trisphosphates (1R,2R,3S,4R,5S)-3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,4-tris(phosphonooxy)cyclopentane (4) and (1R,2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-bis(phosphonooxy)-5-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentane (5), respectively. Both 3 and 4 mobilized intracellular Ca(2+), but 4 was only a few fold less potent than D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, demonstrating that effective mimics can be designed that do not bear a six-membered ring.