Steviosid aus Süßkraut

The diterpene glycoside stevioside is the most abundant among a group of sweet steviol glycosides, present in sweetleaf (Stevia rebaudiana), which is naturally occurring in Paraguay. It has already been used by the Guarani Indians as a sweetener. Since 2011 such “steviosides” have an EU approval as sweeteners E 960. They taste ca. 250 times sweeter than sucrose. Meanwhile, they have got a significant recognition, not least due to their use in Coca Cola life®. We describe the isolation of stevioside and rebaudioside A from dried leaves of the sweetleaf plant. The complete set of spectra for stevioside is reported. Based on students' laboratory work this project is a follow up of the book “Classics in Spectroscopy” by S. Berger und D. Sicker (Wiley‐VCH 2009).     

Metallchlorid-Graphitverbindungen aus nichtwäßrigen Lösungsmitteln Einlagerung aus Thionylchloridlösungen

Metal Chloride-Graphite Compounds from Nonaqueous Solvents. Intercalation from Thionylchloride Solutions The intercalation of UCl₅, AlCl₃, NbCl₅, TaCl₅, and MoOCl₄ from SOCl₂ solutions is investigated. From concentrated UCl₅ solutions, dependent on the temperature, two compounds are obtained: UCl₅-graphite and UCl₅–SOCl₂-graphite, both with the structure of a first intercalation stage. The other metal chlorides are intercalated without SOCl₂: AlCl₃ to a second stage; NbCl₅, TaCl₅ and MoOCl₄ to a third stage. Chlorine additionally bound in the AlCl₃, NbCl₅ and TaCl₅ compounds results from a decomposition reaction of the SOCl₂.     

Neue Diterpenoide aus Blattdrüsen einer Plectranthus sp. aus Rwanda

Novel Diterpenoids from Leaf-Glands of a Plectranthus sp. from Rwanda More than 20 highly modified abietanoid compounds belonging to 6,7-dioxocoleons, serveral kinds of royleanones, spirocoleons, extended quinones, quinone methides, and 1,4-phenanthraquinones have been isolated from a Plectranthus sp. from the borders of Lake Kiwu (Rwanda). The structure of plectranthon A ( 1 ), a 5,7,8-trimethyl-1,4-phenanthraquinone, has been confirmed by an X-ray analysis of its p-bromobenzoate. It is twisted around the C(4)–C(5) moiety; this fact renders the molecule chiral. Notable features of the hydroxylation pattern in all of the isolated compounds are: (a) a predominant hydroxylation at C(16) (abietan numbering) leading to the (15S)-configuration of the 2-hydroxy-l-methylethyl side-chain and to the (13S, 15R)-configuration of the derived spirocyclopropanes and to the derived (S)-2-hydroxypropyl side-chain; (b) the 6β,7α-dihydroxylation which, together with further hydroxylations at C(3) and/or C(2), are considered as a prerequisite for the formation of the conjugated system extending over rings A, B and C (e.g. in the coleons E and F), hence allowing a complete aromatization of the basic ring skeleton. The reasons for these extensive dehydrogenation and oxygenation reactions that cost the plant a great many of oxidation equivalents are not clear. Presumably, these modifying reactions preceed the degradation of the ring system.     

Eucalyptol aus Eukalyptusöl

Eucalyptol (1,8‐cineol), a cyclic monoterpenoid ether, is the dominant portion of eucalyptus oil, an essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus, accessible by steam distillation of its leaves. Some herbs and spices such as basil and cardamom also contain it as characterising flavour compound. Eucalyptus is a very diverse genus of Myrtaceae naturally occurring in Australia to whom the species have adapted in evolution. Planting Eucalyptus trees outside Australia has both benefits for poor populations and drawbacks. Especially, the enormous water consumption has been criticized. The total impact is doubtful. Eucalyptol is used in flavorings, fragrances, confectionery, cosmetics, cough suppressants, and insect repellents. Higher than normal doses are a hazard. A convenient isolation of eucalyptol from eucalyptus is reported. All analytical spectra were recorded and are reproduced and interpreted either in the main part or in the supporting information. The project is a follow up of the recent book “Classics in Spectroscopy” by S. Berger und D. Sicker (Wiley‐VCH 2009).     

Furancarbonsäuren aus Rinderharn

Furancarboxylic Acids in Cattle Urine The urine of cattle contains large amounts of furancarboxylic acids. The same acids were isolated from rats after feeding with methyl esters of the so-called F-acids. Since the F-acids were not detected in cattle-food, they must be produced somewhere in the body of cattle.     

Radikale aus Polymethin-Farbstoffen. IV—Dikation-Radikale aus Polymethincyanin-Farbstoffen mit Indolenin-Endgruppen

Dication radicals have been prepared by electrolytic oxidation of polymethinecyanine dyes. Their e.s.r. spectra confirm the expected structure of the radicals.     

Über Dienketene aus o-Chinolacetaten

On Dien-Ketenes from o-Quinol-Acetates A detailed picture of the photochemistry of o-quinol-acetates is presented. (RS)-6-Acetoxy-6-methyl-, (RS)-6-acetoxy-2,6-dimethyl-, (RS)-6-acetoxy-5,6-dimethyl-, (RS)-6-acetoxy-2,4,6-trimethyl-, (RS)-6-acetoxy-2,3,4,6-tetramethyl-, and (RS)-6-acetoxy-2,3,4,5,6-pentamethyl-2,4-cyclohexadien-1-ones serve as representative educts. There are two separate main photochemical routes conveniently designated as ¹(π*, n) or ³(π*, π) tracks. The latter may also be attained by sensitization and leads to phenols. The former, by α-cleavage furnishes dienketens as indispensable phototransients. Photolysis of dien-ketens follows one or more of three reaction channels, each of which yields a particular type of photoproduct: heat-induced monocyclization affords 2,4-cyclohexadien-1-ones, heat-induced bicyclization stereoselectively furnishes bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-ones, and multi-step addition of protic nucleophiles stereoselectively gives 1,4-, 1,6- and/or 1,2-adducts. By X-ray analysis or NOE studies, the structure of isolated photoproducts is established. Conventional spectroscopy at low or flash spectroscopy at normal temperature yield information on the formation and decay of kinetically unstable intermediates. Photoproduct composition depends on the pattern of substitution of the educts, on the solvents, and on the nucleophiles that might be present. Substituents primarily exert an influence upon the population of the various conformers of the dien-keten. Solvents affect the rate of the divers reaction paths competing for the phototransient. Nucleophiles play more than a trivial role when adducts are formed. With the detailed view of a dien-keten's role on hand, the photoproduct from a given o-quinol-acetate or more general from a linear conjugated cyclohexadienone is now predictable.     

Drüsenfarbstoffe aus tropischen Labiaten: Parviflorone aus Plectranthus strigosus BENTH.

Red-Coloured Abietanoids from Leaf-Glands of Plectranthus strigosus BENTH . Chromatographic examination of the red-coloured diterpenoids from the South-African title plant yielded the following compounds: parviflorone A(1) , parviflorone B (2) , parviflorone C(3) , parviflorone E (4) parviflorone D (5) , parviflorone F (6) , parviflorone G (7) , and parviflorone H (8) . Compounds 7 and 8 represent new variants of these quinone methides.