Specific oxidation of C-14 oxygenated 4(20),11-taxadienes by microbial transformation

Three C-14 oxygenated taxanes, 2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (1), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-(2-methylbutyryloxy)taxa-4(20),11-diene (2), and yunanaxane (3), major products of callus cultures of Taxus spp., were regio- and stereoselectively hydroxylated at the 7β position by a fungus, Absidia coerulea IFO 4011. Intriguingly, when 1 was co-administered with β-cyclodextrin and incubated with the fungus cell cultures, three other compounds 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-14β-ol (7), 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-1β-ol (8) and 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxy-11(15→1) abeotaxa-4(20),11-dien-15-ol (9) were obtained.     

Urinary metabolites of cinobufagin in rats and their antiproliferative activities

Cinobufagin was one of the important cardenolidal steroids and a major component of Chan'Su, a famous traditional Chinese medicine. The urinary metabolites of cinobufagin after single oral doses of 25?mg?kg?1 in rats were investigated. Eleven metabolites were isolated and purified by liquid-liquid extraction, open-column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, as well as semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and various spectroscopic methods, which were identified as desacetylcinobufagin (M-1), 3-oxo-desacetylcinobufagin (M-2), 3-oxo-cinobufagin (M-3), 3-epi-desacetylcinobufagin (M-4), 3-epi-12β-hydroxyl desacetylcinobufagin (M-5), 5β-hydroxyl cinobufagin (M-6), 5β-hydroxyl desacetylcinobufagin (M-7), 12β-hydroxyl cinobufagin (M-8), 1β,12β-dihydroxyl cinobufagin (M-9), 12β-hydroxyl desacetylcinobufagin (M-10) and 1β,12β-dihydroxyl desacetylcinobufagin (M-11), respectively. Among them, M-1 was the main urinary metabolite of cinobufagin with a yield of 17.7%. Most metabolites were hydroxylated products of cinobufagin at C-1β, 5β and 12β positions, as well as deacetylated products at C-16. Except M-1, M-4 and M-7, the other eight metabolites were novel in vivo metabolites of cinobufagin. Some metabolites showed potential cytotoxicity against human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and human leukaemia (K562, HL-60) cells; however, their cytotoxicities generally decreased after metabolic conversion.     

Steroide—XL: 16,17-azido- und 16,17-aminoalkohole des östra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-methyläthers

The four epimeric azido alcohols of estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-methyl ether with nitrogen at C-16 and oxygen at C-17 were prepared by the following reactions: cleavage of the 16α,17α-epoxide 1 with sodium azide affords the 16β,17α-azido alcohol 2a. The analogous reaction of the 16β,17β-epoxide 4 gives the 17α,16β-azido alcohol 5a and the desired 16α,17β-azido alcohol 6a in low yield. 6a is obtained in a smooth reaction by substitution of the 16β,17β-bromohydrine 8 with sodium azide. Sodium borohydride reduction of the 16β-azido-17-ketone 9 yields the 16β,17β-azido alcohol 10a, reduction of 16α-azido-17-ketone 13 with lithium borohydride gives the 16α,17α-azido alcohol 14a. From the azido alcohols the corresponding amino alcohols 3a, 7a, 11a and 15a are prepared with hydrazine hydrate/Raney nickel. The amino alcohols give the acetic anhydride the corresponding acetylamino alcohols. The cis-amino alcohols 11a and 15a react with acetone to the corresponding oxazolidines 12 and 16.     

Synthesis of β-lactam peptidomimetics through Ugi MCR: first application of chiral N-Fmoc amino alkyl isonitriles in MCRs

Chiral N^β-Fmoc amino alkyl isonitriles were employed in Ugi multi component reactions (Ugi 4C-3CR) to obtain functionalized β-lactam peptidomimetics with l-aspartic acid α-methyl ester/peptide ester and organic aldehydes. The reactions were carried out in MeOH. Thirteen Ugi products have been prepared in good to moderate yields with good diastereoselectivities.     

Combined biotransformations of 4(20),11-taxadienes

Taxuyunnanine C (1) and its analogs (2 and 3), the C-14 oxygenated 4(20), 11-taxadienes from callus cultures of Taxus sp., were regio- and stereo-selectively hydroxylated at the 7β position by a fungus, Abisidia coerulea IFO 4011, and it was interesting that the longer the alkyl chain of the acyloxyl group at C-14 became, the higher the yield of 7β-hydroxylated product was. Besides the three 7β-hydroxylated products (5, 9, 17), other nine new products (7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21) and six known products (4, 6, 8, 10, 13 and 19) were obtained. Subsequently, the acetylated derivatives (24 and 27) of 7β-and 9α-hydroxylated products of 1 were regio- and stereo-specifically hydroxylated at the 9α position by Ginkgo cells and 7β position by A. coerulea, respectively. Thus, the two specific oxidations have been combined. These bioconversions would provide not only valuable intermediates for the semi-synthesis of paclitaxel or other bioactive taxoids from 1 and its analogs, but also some useful hints for the biosynthetic pathway of taxoid in the natural Taxus plant.     

Biotransformation of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives by Gibberella fujikuroi

The microbiological transformation of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi gave fujenoic acid as the main compound, whilst the incubation of 18-hydroxy-7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene and 3α,18-dihydroxy-7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene afforded the corresponding 6β-hydroxy-derivatives. These facts indicate that the formation of fujenoic acid in this biotransformation should occur via a 7-oxo-6β-hydroxy derivative. In the three biotransformations, an 11β-hydroxylation was also produced, in low yield, indicating that a 7-oxo-group also directs hydroxylation at C-11.     

Synthesis of the aglycone of 26-O-deacetyl pavoninin-5

The aglycone of 26-O-deacetyl pavoninin-5, (25R)-cholest-5-en-3β,15α,26-triol, 5a, was synthesized in 10 steps in 17% overall yield from diosgenin, 3. Removing mercury from the Clemmensen reduction of diosgenin 3, gave a higher yield of (25R)-cholest-5-en-3β,16β,26-triol, 4, by a method, that is also more environmentally friendly. Attempted methods for the transposition of the C-16β hydroxyl to the 15α position are described. A successful method for this transposition via the 15α-hydroxy-16-ketone, 13, using the Barton deoxygenation reaction on the 16-alcohol, 15, is reported.     

Zur lokalisierung funktioneller gruppen mit hilfe der massenspektrometrie—VIII : 6-hydroxy-androstan-3,17-dione und 6,17β-dihydroxy-androstan-3-one

5β-androstan-3-ones carrying a 6α-OH group show in their mass spectra a key-ion indicating the loss of water and C-1 to C-4 as C₄H₅O? particle. 6β-OH isomers lose instead C-1 to C-4 in form of C₄H₇O?.In 6α-hydroxy-androstan-3-ones differentiation between the connection of the A/B-ring system is possible, because in 5α-isomers the loss of C-3 to C-7 occurs as a C₅H₆O₂ particle, while the 5β-isomers lose the same C atoms as a C₅H₇O? unit.Compounds with a 6β-OH group in an A/B trans connected ring system show a tendency for thermal water elimination. After rearrangement of the double bond in 4,5 position the typical fragments for 3-keto-Δ⁴-steroids are obtained.Occasionally a strong influence of a 6-OH group on fragmentation reactions in the D-ring system is observed: The presence of a 6α-OH group in an androstan-3,17-dione enhances the loss of C-16 and C-17 in the form of acetaldehydenol. Also the connection of the A/B-ring system may have a considerable influence on this type of reaction: In 6,17β-dihydroxy-androstan-3-ones only by trans connection of the A/B-ring system, C-16 and C-17 are lost with high probability after water elimination.     

Biotransformation of two stemodane diterpenes by Mucor plumbeus

The microbiological transformation of 13α,17-dihydroxy-stemodane (2) by the fungus Mucor plumbeus afforded 13α,17,19-trihydroxy-stemodane (3), 3β,13α,17-trihydroxy-stemodane (5), 3-oxo-13α,17-dihydroxy-stemodane (7), 7α,13α,17,19-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (8), 3β,11α,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (10), 3β,7α,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (12), 3β,8β,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (14), 2α,13α,17-trihydroxy-stemodane (16), 2α,13α,17,19-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (17), 2α,3β,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (20) and 3β,11β,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (22), whilst the incubation of 13α,14-dihydroxy-stemodane (25) gave 3β,13α,14-trihydroxy-stemodane (28), 2α,13α,14-trihydroxy-stemodane (29) and 13α,14,19-trihydroxy-stemodane (30). Preference for hydroxylations of ring A at C-2(α), C-3(β) and C-19 were observed in both incubations. An interesting rearrangement of 13α,14α-dihydroxy-stemodanes to 14-oxo derivatives with an unusual carbon framework has been observed under acetylation conditions. We have named this skeleton prestemodane, which, as a hydrocarbon ion, had been postulated as a biogenetic precursor of stemodane.     

Biotransformation of triptolide by Cunninghamella blakesleana

Biotransformation of triptolide 1 by Cunninghamella blakesleana (AS 3.970) was carried out. Seven biotransformation products were obtained and four of them were characterized as new compounds. On the basis of their NMR and mass spectral data, their structures were characterized as 5α-hydroxytriptolide 2, 1β-hydroxytriptolide 3, triptodiolide 4, 16-hydroxytriptolide 5, triptolidenol 6, 19α-hydroxytriptolide 7 and 19β-hydroxytriptolide 8. All the new transformed products (2, 3, 7 and 8) were found to exhibit potent in vitro cytotoxicity against some human tumor cell lines.     

Bismuth(III) triflate-catalyzed rearrangement of 16α,17α-epoxy-20-oxosteroids. Synthesis and structural elucidation of new 16α-substituted 17α-alkyl-17β-methyl-Δ-18-norsteroids

The use of bismuth(III) triflate for the rearrangement of 16α,17α-epoxy-20-oxosteroids is reported. The reactions occur under truly catalytic conditions to afford novel 17α-alkyl-17β-methyl-Δ¹³-18-nor products bearing different O-containing substituents at C16. When the reaction is performed in the absence of acylation agent a mixture of isomeric 16α- and 16β-hydroxy derivatives is obtained, whereas when carried out in the presence of such reagents, the reaction selectively affords the corresponding 16α-acyl rearranged products. The chemoselective rearrangement of 5β,6β;16α,17α-diepoxy-20-oxopregnan-3β-yl acetate to afford a ‘backbone’ rearranged product bearing the 16α,17α-epoxide group is also reported. Some mechanistic considerations are provided. All rearranged products were the subject of comprehensive structural elucidation, by the use of X-ray crystallography and 2D NMR.     

A new enzyme catalysis: 3,4-dioxidation of some aryl β-d-glycopyranosides by fungal pyranose dehydrogenase

Quinone-dependent pyranose dehydrogenase presents a new tool for versatile conversions of numerous carbohydrates to their di- and tricarbonyl derivatives. This enzyme purified from the basidiomycete Agaricus meleagris catalysed dioxidation of several aromatic β-d-glucopyranosides and a β-d-xylopyranoside into the corresponding 3,4-didehydro-β-d-aldopyranosides (β-d-aldopyranosid-3,4-diuloses) in high yields, typically >80% for 4-nitrophenyl glycosides. These new compounds were doubly hydrated in aqueous solution. According to in situ NMR investigations, the reaction intermediates were the corresponding 3- and 4-dehydro compounds. The analogous anomeric α-glycosides underwent one-step oxidation only at C-3 to 3-dehydro-α-d-aldopyranosides (α-d-pyranosid-3-uloses).     

Zur lokalisierung funktioneller gruppen mit hilfe der massenspektrometrie—XI : 3,12,17β-trihydroxy-androstane, 12,17β-dihydroxy-androstan-3-one,3,12-dihydroxy-androstan-17-one und 12-hydroxy-androstan-3,17-dione

Mass spectrometric degradation reactions of steroids with hydroxy groups in positions 12 and 17β depend on the configuration of the C-12 hydroxy group. In compounds with a 12α-hydroxy group, this group and the hydrogen in position 17α is eliminated as H₂O. This reaction is followed by loss of a methyl radical. In the isomers with a 12β-hydroxy group this reaction is not possible. Here the loss of carbon 15–17 dominates the production of an ion by loss of two molecules of water. Key ions of mass 97 as well as M-44 and M-74 ions are produced by 17 keto steroids with a hydroxy group in position 12. If the rings A and B are cis-connected less specific degradation reactions are observed.     

A facile approach to spirocyclic butenolides through cascade cyclization/oxidative cleavage reactions of (Z)-enynols catalyzed by gold under dioxygen atmosphere

A facile approach for the syntheses of spirocyclic butenolides through cascade cyclization/oxidative cleavage reactions of (Z)-enynols bearing cyclic substituents at the C-1 position catalyzed by gold under dioxygen atmosphere has been developed. A variety of substituted butenolides was constructed in a regioselective manner from suitably substituted (Z)-2-en-4-yn-1-ols. (Z)-Enynols substituted both at C2 and C3-position afforded the spirocyclic butenolides in moderate to good yields, C-2 unsubstituted (Z)-enynols afforded the products in moderate yields, and the C-3 unsubstituted (Z)-enynols afforded the desired products in low yields.     

Chemistry of ayurvedic crude drugs—V : Guggulu (resin from commiphora mukul)—5 some new steroidal components and,stereochemistry of guggulsterol-I at C-20 and C-22

20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (5), 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (6), 16β-hydroxy-4,17(20)Z-pregnadien-3-one (4) and 16α-hydroxy-4-prenen-3-one (10) have been isolated as new steroidal components of the gum-resin from Commiphora mukul. A simple procedure for the synthesis of 4 is described. Chirality at C-20, C-22 in guggulsterol-I (3) has been clarified.     

Clerodane diterpenoids from Microglossa angolensis

Two new diterpenoids, 6β-(2-methylbut-2(Z)-enoyl)-3α,4α,15,16-bis-epoxy-8β,10βH-ent-cleroda-13(16),14-dien-20,12-olide and 10β-hydroxy-6-oxo-3α,4α,15,16-bis-epoxy-8βH-cleroda-13(16),14-dien-20,12-olide, together with the known β-amyrin, spinasterol, 5,7-dihydroxy-3,8,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone and 5,7-dihydroxy-3,8,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone have been isolated from the aerial parts of Microglossa angolensis Oliv. et Hiern (Compositae). The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies and comparison with published data.     

A taxane with a novel 9α,13α-oxygen bridge from Taxus cuspidata needles

A novel taxane with an unprecedented hemiacetal ring between C-13 and C-9 was isolated from the needles of Taxus cuspidata. The structure was characterized as (12αH)-2α,10β-diacetoxy-5α-cinnamoyloxy-9α,13α-epoxytax-4(20)-ene-11β,13β-diol (1). This is the first example of a natural taxane with a C-13 and C-9 oxygen bridge to form an unusual 6/8/6/6-membered ring system.     

O-(α-D-Glucopyranosyl)trichloroacetimidate as a Glucosyl Donor

Model reactions of 0-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)trichloroacetimidate 2α with methanol and choTesterol under various conditions demon-strated that stereocontrolled glucosyl transfer with inversion of configuration at the anomeric center is best carried out in di-chloromethane at low temperatures with boron trifluoride-ether as a catalyst. Under these conditions β-glucoside 4β and β-disaccha-rides 5β- 9β were obtained in good to excellent yields.

With Brtosnsted acids, fast glucosyl transfer to the acid anion was mainly observed and required no further acidic catalysis. With strong acids formation of the thermodynamically more stable product dominated. However, with the weaker carboxylic acids highly diastereoselective inversion of configuration at the anomeric center led, for instance, to β-1-O-acyl derivatives 11β - 18β, revealing a convenient method for the synthesis of O-glycosyl-carb-oxylates. This method was also applied to resolution of racemic carboxylic acids.

Similar results were obtained with N-nucleophiles. Hydrazoic acid gave exclusively α-azide 19a. Nitrogen heterocycles gave with boron trifluoride-ether catalysis mainly β-nucleosides 20β - 23β. Reaction of trichloroacetimidate 2α with O-nucleophiles in aceto-nitrile as solvent led to different products due to competition     

Neighbouring group participation in the reaction of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives with diacetoxyiodobenzene. Synthesis of gibberellin analogues

The reaction of different 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives with diacetoxyiodobenzene has been evaluated for the preparation of gibberellin analogues. Thus, the reaction of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-en-18-oic acid methyl ester (3) with this reagent afforded 4-epi-GA₁₂ dimethyl ester (6). This reaction constitutes a good procedure for the preparation of this type of compounds. In some cases, alternative reactions that led to the introduction in the substrate of a conjugated 5,6-double bond or to the formation of a ketal at the 6-position were also produced. The formation of these compounds, or of gibberellin analogues, depends on the neighbouring group participation of the different C-18 and C-19 substituents at C-4.     

New antimicrobial diterpenes from the sponge spongia officinalis

The methanol extract of the sponge Spongia officinalis from Pt. Guimar, Tenerife (Canary Islands) contained new diterpenoids which inhibited the growth of microbes. The structures of the new diterpenes isolated were determined as; 11β-hydroxyspongi-12-en-16-one ($\text{2}$), 11β-acetoxyspongi-12-en-16-one ($\text{3}$), 7β,11β-dihydroxy8pongi-12-en-16-one ($\text{5}$), and 7β,11α-dihydroxy-spongi-12-en-16-one ($\text{6}$), by spectral and chemical degradation studies. The previously reported diterpenes isoagatholactone ($\text{1}$) and aplysillin ($\text{4}$) were also found in the extract.