New Casbanes and the First trans-Cyclopropane seco-Casbane from the Australian Rainforest Plant Croton insularis

Investigation of the Australian rainforest plant Croton insularis revealed seven new cis-, two new trans-cyclopropane casbanes, and the first trans-cyclopropane seco-casbane. The relative configuration of the cyclopropane moiety for all compounds (EBC-182, 217, 218, 220, 343, 357, 358, 361, 365, 373; EBC=EcoBiotics Compound) was assigned using ¹³C NMR data. Comparison of the experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra with the theoretical curves, calculated by TD-DFT at the B3LYP/6-31+G**//B3LYP/6-31+G** level, in conjunction with NOE data afforded the absolute configuration. EBC-180, 181 and 220 displayed potent activity against cervical carcinoma (HeLa cells).     

Structure and absolute stereochemistry of the anticancer agent EBC-23 from the Australian rainforest

EBC-23 (2), a prostate anticancer agent, was isolated from the fruit of Cinnamomum laubatii (family Lauraceae) in the Australian tropical rainforest. Extensive NOE experiments enabled the relative stereochemistry of the proposed EBC-23 (2) structure to be determined. Total synthesis of both enantiopodes over nine linear steps, involving challenging RCM and spiroacetal cyclizations, confirmed the gross structure and relative and absolute stereochemistry.     

Automated structure elucidation — the benefits of a symbiotic relationship between the spectroscopist and the expert system

Characteristic features of a new expert system StrucEluc are described. The system is intended for the structure elucidation of complex organic molecules using a variety of spectroscopic data including 2D NMR. We review here the results of challenging this system with over 100 structure elucidation problems where the 2D NMR peak tables presented in original journal publications provided the input data. This contribution is focused on methods to overcome difficult situations that can arise when contradictions are present in the input data and/or when the structure is underdetermined as a result of insufficient 2D NMR correlations. Methods by which to address these situations are examined. It has been shown that synergy between the spectroscopist and the expert system allows the solution of problems that seemed to be hopeless at the outset of the structure elucidation process.     

Stereochemistry of cis- and trans-1-hydroxy-1-phenylquinolizidines

cis and trans-1-Hydroxy-1-phenylquinolizidines were prepared from 1-ketoquinolizidine and isolated by column chromatography. Infrared and nuclear magnetic spectral data were utilized for the elucidation of the structures.     

Synthesis,structure elucidation and antibacterial activity of 6-ethyl-6,9-dihydro-9-oxopyrazolo[3,4-f]quinoline-8-carboxylic acid

The preparation, structure elucidation and antibacterial activity of 6-ethyl-6,9-dihydro-9-oxopyrazolo-[3,4-f]quinoline-8-carboxylic acid are reported.     

Synthesis and NMR elucidation of pentacyclo-undecane diamine derivatives as potential anti-tuberculosis drugs

The complete structural elucidation of six novel pentacycloundecane (PCU) derivatives is reported. The target molecules are potential anti-tuberculosis agents. The addition of side arms to the PCU cage skeleton at position C-8/C-11 results in major overlapping of the methine resonances of the ¹H NMR spectrum. The use of 2D NMR techniques proved to be a very useful tool in overcoming the difficulties encountered in the elucidation of cage compounds using ¹H and ¹³C spectra only. All compounds reported are meso compounds thereby simplifying the complexity of the NMR spectra. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Spectroscopic identification of some derivatives of 3,4-diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazole and 3-Hydrazino-4H-1,2,4-triazole

Spectroscopic methods (ir, ¹H- and ¹³C-nmr, ms and uv) have been used for the structural elucidation and identification of different isomeric 1,2,4-triazole derivatives, obtained by cyclisation reactions from appropriate diaminoguanidines. The four compounds 3,4-diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazole, 3-hydrazino-4H-1,2,4-triazole, 3-amino-4-(2,6-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole and 3-(2,6-dichlorobenzylidenehydrazino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole, were chosen as representative structures to illustrate the general spectroscopic properties for 3,4-diamino- and 3-hydrazino-substituted 4H-1,2,4-triazoles and the corresponding hydrazones, with different substituents in the 5-position of the triazole ring (alkyl-, aralkyl-, mercapto-, hydroxy- and amino-groups). Nmr and uv spectroscopy were found to be the best methods for confirmation of the different series of hydrazones, while ir and nmr were found to be suitable for the structural elucidation of compounds in the series of 3,4-diamino- and 3-hydrazino-4H-1,2,4-triazoles, respectively.     

Synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b][1,4]diazepines and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazines

The synthesis and structure elucidation of new pyrazolo[3,4-b][1,4]diazepines and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazines are reported and the characterisation of isomers and tautomers by proton and carbon-13 nmr are discussed. In some case only NOE experiments allow us to identify the isomeric structure.     

Phenols and Quinones from Seeds of Different Iris Species

The seed oils of I.pseudacorus LINN ., I.sibirica LINN ., and I.missouriensis NUTTAL . contain appreciable amounts of phenols, quinones, and resorcinols, substituted with homologous alkyl or alkenyl side chains. The structure elucidation of these compounds is described, and their possible biosynthesis is discussed.     

Synthesis and MALDI-TOF MS Analysis of Protected Oligosaccharide Components of N-Glycoproteins

Essential components of N-glycoproteins were synthesized in octyl glycoside form starting from 3-O-allyl-D-glucose derivative. The β-mannosidic linkage was formed by the oxidation reduction method. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and its post-source decay (PSD) mode were used for identification and structural elucidation of protected synthetic oligosaccharides related to N-glycoproteins. Most fragments, identified in the PSD spectra, were products of the cleavage of glycosidic bonds.     

Synthesis of 6-(2-nitrobenzyl)-3,5-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-as-triazine and some derivatives

6-(2-Nitrobenzyl)-3,5-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-as-triazines were prepared as intermediates for investigations aimed at the synthesis of as-triazino[5,6-b]quinolines. The substances were obtained by new methods based on the elucidation of stereochemical conditions.     

One-Pot Synthesis and X-Ray Structure of New,Stable Tetrahydropyrrolo [1,2-a][1,10]phenanthrolines with Four Diastereoisomeric Centers

1,10-Phenanthrolinium N-ylides react with ethyl cyanoacetate and aromatic aldehydes via a domino-Knoevenagel cyclization to produce a new class of tetrahydropyrrolo [1,2-a][1,10] phenanthrolines with four diastereoisomeric centers as stable helical compounds in a simple, mild, and efficient protocol in excellent yields. Explicit structural elucidation of compounds was accomplished by single-crystal x-ray diffraction.     

Structure and Stereochemistry of New Sesquiterpene Esters from Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH. (Preliminary communication)

The structure elucidation of four new constituents from the roots of Echinacea purpurea is described. They are shown to be cinnamoyl esters of sesquiterpene alcohols with a germacrane or a guaiane skeleton. First pharmacological results indicate immunological activities.     

Thermodynamically Stable o-Quinodimethane: Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity

Thermal isomerization of cyclobutaphenanthrene to o-quinodimethane was investigated. Sterically congested substituents or electron-donating substituents on the four-membered ring promoted the ring-opening, affording o-quinodimethane in a relatively stable form. Isolation of the newly prepared o-quinodimethane allowed its structural elucidation and investigation of its potential reactivities. Dual [4+2] cycloaddition of an aryne and o-quinodimethane afforded tetrabenzopentacene, demonstrating the synthetic application of the isolated compound.     

Synthesis and NMR elucidation of novel pentacycloundecane‐based peptides

The synthesis and NMR elucidation of two novel pentacycloundecane (PCU)‐based peptides are reported. The PCU cage amino acids were synthesised as racemates and the incorporation of the cage amino acid with (S)‐natural amino acids produced diastereomeric peptides. The diastereomeric ‘cage’ peptides were separated using preparative HPLC and the NMR elucidation of these PCU containing peptides are reported for the first time. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra showed series of overlapping signals of the cage skeleton and that of the peptide, making it extremely difficult to resolve the structure using one‐dimensional NMR techniques only. The use of two‐dimensional NMR techniques proved to be a highly effective tool in overcoming this problem. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass spectral behaviour of some m-dimethoxybenzene and sym-trimethoxybenzene sulphur derivatives

The mass spectra of fifteen m-dimethoxybenzene and sym-trimethoxybenzene sulphur derivatives (including thiols, sulphides, disulphides and trisulphides) have been investigated. Main fragmentation pathways have been proposed for each class of sulphur compound. Primary skeletal rearrangements of the molecular ions occurring in (poly)sulphur-bridged derivatives can provide a sensitive diagnostic tool both in structure elucidation and in the problem of locating methoxy substituents.     

Front Cover: Tetrathiaporphyrine: A Novel Natural Product from Allium Subgenus Melanocrommyum (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 20/2023)

A novel purple-red pigment from the plant genus of Allium (onions, leeks), subgenus Melanocrommyum (drumstick onions), is described. Because of this pigment, which reminds of blood, some species of the subgenus Melanocrommyum are used in Southwest and Central Asia as herbal medications, as spices or as vegetables. A proposal for the formation of this structure is provided, which is the first example of a tetrathiaporphyrin in nature. The described substance shows low stability towards thermal stress, light and oxidant; additionally, its symmetric nature made structural elucidation a challenge. It could be shown that, contrary to previous reports, the structure of the red pigment is that of a tetrathiaporphyrin. Full structure elucidation was only possible by X-ray crystallography and total synthesis of the intended molecule. Further on, the newly discovered red pigment was used for the modification of nanoparticles and monitoring its polymerization events using SPR.     

Polycephalin B and C: Unusual Tetramic Acids from Plasmodia of the Slime Mold Physarum polycephalum (Myxomycetes)

Illumination results in increased formation of metabolites 1 and 2 in the plasmodia of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. This was determined from HPLC studies undertaken in the search for the photoactive substances involved in the “blue-light phenomenon”. The isolation and structure elucidation of 1 and 2 is described.     

Synthesis and structure elucidation of N-methyl-4-(2-benzo-γ-pyronyl)-1,2,3-triazoles

When diazomethane was reacted with 2-cyano chromones, three isomeric N-methyltriazoles were obtained. They were isolated by liquid chromatography with three different solvents for elution. Complete elucidation of the structures was performed both by pmr and cmr spectrography; X-ray analysis is in agreement with the proposed structures.     

Sensitized photo-oxidation of N-furfurylacetamide in alcohols

The sensitized photo-oxidation of N-furfurylacetamide gave eight products in ethanol and six products in methanol. The elucidation of the structures of these products and the mechanism of their formation is discussed.