Three ginkgolide hydrates from Ginkgo biloba L.: ginkgolide A monohydrate,ginkgolide C sesquihydrate and ginkgolide J dihydrate,all determined at 120 K

A low‐temperature structure of ginkgolide A monohydrate, (1R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)‐3‐(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐4,7b‐di­hydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxymethano‐1H,6aH‐cyclo­penta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]­furo­[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclopenta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione monohydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₉·H₂O, obtained from Mo Kα data, is a factor of three more precise than the previous room‐temperature determination. A refinement of the ginkgolide A monohydrate structure with Cu Kα data has allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration of the series of compounds. Ginkgolide C sesquihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11S,11aR)‐3‐(1,1‐di­methyl­ethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,7b,11‐tetrahydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxy­methano‐1H,6aH‐cyclopenta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]­furo­[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclo­penta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione sesquihydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₁₁·1.5H₂O, has two independent diterpene mol­ecules, both of which exhibit intramolecular hydrogen bonding between OH groups. Ginkgolide J dihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)‐3‐(1,1‐di­methyl­ethyl)‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,7b‐tri­hydroxy‐8‐methyl‐9H‐1,7a‐epoxy­methano‐1H,6aH‐cyclo­penta­[c]­furo­[2,3‐b]furo[3′,2′:3,4]­cyclo­penta­[1,2‐d]­furan‐5,9,12(4H)‐trione dihydrate, C₂₀H₂₄O₁₀·2H₂O, has the same basic skeleton as the other ginkgolides, with its three OH groups having the same configurations as those in ginkgolide C. The conformations of the six five‐membered rings are quite similar across ­ginkgolides A–C and J, except for the A and F rings of ginkgolide A.     

Determination of Absolute Configuration of Decipinone,a Diterpenoid Ester with a Myrsinane‐Type Carbon Skeleton,by NMR Spectroscopy

The absolute configuration of decipinone ( 2 ), a myrsinane‐type diterpene ester previously isolated from Euphorbia decipiens, has been determined by NMR study of its axially chiral derivatives (aR)‐ and (aS)‐N‐hydroxy‐2′‐methoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2‐carboximidoyl chloride ((aR)‐MBCC ( 3a ) and (aS)‐MBCC ( 3b )). The absolute configurations at C(7) and C(13) of 2 determined were (R) and (S), respectively. Therefore, considering the relative configuration of 2 , the absolute configuration determined was (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,7R,11S,12R,13S,15R).     

Characterization of novel isobenzofuranones by DFT calculations and 2D NMR analysis

Phthalides are frequently found in naturally occurring substances and exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the search for compounds with insecticidal activity, phthalides have been used as versatile building blocks for the syntheses of novel potential agrochemicals. In our work, the Diels–Alder reaction between furan‐2(5H)‐one and cyclopentadiene was used successfully to obtain (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4R,7S,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 2 ) and (3aS,4S,7R,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4R,7S,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 3 ). The endo adduct ( 2 ) was brominated to afford (3aR,4R,5R,7R,7aS,8R)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4S,5S,7S,7aR,8S)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 4 ) and (3aS,4R,5R,6S,7S,7aR)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4S,5S,6R,7R,7aS)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 5 ). Following the initial analysis of the NMR spectra and the proposed two novel unforeseen products, we have decided to fully analyze the classical and non‐classical assay structures with the aid of computational calculations. Computation to predict the ¹³C and ¹H chemical shifts for mean absolute error analyses have been carried out by gauge‐including atomic orbital method at M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) levels of theory for all viable conformers. Characterization of the novel unforeseen compounds ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) were not possible by employing only the experimental NMR data; however, a more conclusive structural identification was performed by comparing the experimental and theoretical ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts by mean absolute error and DP4 probability analyses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Complicated Bicyclic and Tricyclic Polypropanoates via the Double Diels‐Alder Addition of 2,2′‐Ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran]

A new, non‐iterative method for the asymmetric synthesis of long‐chain and polycyclic polypropanoate fragments starting from 2,2′‐ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran] ( 2 ) has been developed. Diethyl (2E,5E)‐4‐oxohepta‐2,5‐dienoate ( 6 ) added to 2 to give a single meso‐adduct 7 containing nine stereogenic centers. Its desymmetrization was realized by hydroboration with (+)‐IpcBH₂ (isopinocampheylborane), leading to diethyl (1S,2R,3S,4S,4aS,7R,8R,8aR,9aS,10R,10aR)‐1,3,4,7,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐9‐oxo‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐1,8‐dicarboxylate ((+)‐ 8 ; 78% e.e.). Alternatively, 7 was converted to meso‐(1R,2R,4R,4aR,5S,7S,8S,8aR,9aS,10s,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H‐10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,6,9(4H,5H,7H)‐trione ( 32 ) that was reduced enantioselectively by BH₃ catalyzed by methyloxazaborolidine 19 derived from L ‐diphenylprolinol giving (1S,2S,4S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,8R,8aS,9aR,10R,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐6‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,9(4H,7H)‐dione ((−)‐ 33 ; 90% e.e.). Chemistry was explored to carry out chemoselective 7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone oxa‐ring openings and intra‐ring C−C bond cleavage. Polycyclic polypropanoates such as (1R,2S,3R,4R,4aR,5S,6R,7S,8R,9R,10R,11S,12aR)‐1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a‐decahydro‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐12‐oxo‐2H,5H‐2,4a : 6,9 : 6,11‐triepoxybenzocyclodecene‐10,8‐carbolactone ( 51 ), (1S,2R,3R,4R,4aS,5S,7S,8R,9R,10R,12S,12aS)‐1,10‐bis(acetoxymethyl)tetradecahydro‐8‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐3,9‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}‐6,11‐epoxycyclodecene‐4a,6,11,12‐tetrol ((+)‐ 83 ), and (1R,2R,3R,4aR,4bR,5S,6R, 7R,8R,8aS,9S,10aR)‐3,5‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐4a,8a‐dihydroxy‐1‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,6,8,9,10a‐pentamethyl‐2,7‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}dodecahydrophenanthrene‐4,10‐dione ( 85 ) were obtained in few synthetic steps.     

Samaderin B and C from Samadera indica

Samaderin B, or (1R,2S,5R,5aR,7aS,11S,11aS,11bR,14S)‐1,7,7a,11,11a,11b‐hexa­hydro‐1,11‐di­hydroxy‐8,11a,14‐tri­methyl‐2H‐5a,2,5‐(methan­oxy­metheno)­naphth­[1,2‐d]­oxepine‐4,6,10(5H)‐trione, C₁₉H₂₂O₇, and samaderin C, or (1R,2S,5R,5aR,7aS,10S,11S,11aS,11bR,14S)‐7,7a,10,11,11a,11b‐hexa­hydro‐1,10,11‐tri­hydroxy‐8,11a,14‐tri­methyl‐2H‐5a,2,5‐(methan­oxy­metheno)­naphth­[1,2‐d]­oxepine‐4,6(1H,5H)‐dione, C₁₉H₂₄O₇, were isolated from the seed kernels of Samadera indica and were shown to exhibit antifeedant activity against Spodoptera litura third‐instar larvae. The replacement of the carbonyl group in samaderin B by a hydroxy group in samaderin C causes conformational changes at the substitution site, but the overall conformation is not affected; however, the compounds pack differently in the crystal lattice.     

Three New Diterpenoids from Rabdosia lophanthoides var. gerardiana

Three new diterpenoids, together with three known ones, were isolated from the air‐dried whole herbs of Rabdosia lophanthoides var. gerardiana. The structures of the new diterpenoids were established as 3,4‐dihydro‐11‐hydroxy‐10‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐2,2,6‐trimethylnaphtho[1,8‐bc]oxocin‐5(2H)‐one ( 1 ), 11,12,15‐trihydroxyabieta‐5,8,11,13‐tetraen‐7‐one ( 2 ), (2R,3S,4S,4aR,8S,9aS,13aS,16aS)‐3,4,4a,8,9,9a,10,11,12,13,14,16a‐dodecahydro‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐6,6,10,10‐tetramethyl‐2H‐benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2‐h]pyrano[2,3‐b][1,4]benzodioxepine‐3,4,8,13a,15(6H)‐pentol ( 3 ) by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. The structures of the known compounds were identified by comparison of their physical and spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature.     

Plumeridoid C from the Amazonian traditional medicinal plant Himatanthus sucuuba

The stereochemistry of the iridoid plumeridoid C, C₁₅H₁₈O₇, was established by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis, giving (2′R,3R,4R,4aS,7aR)‐methyl 3‐hydroxy‐4′‐[(S)‐1‐hydroxyethyl]‐5′‐oxo‐3,4,4a,7a‐tetrahydro‐1H,5′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[c]pyran‐7,2′‐furan]‐4‐carboxylate. The absolute structure of the title compound was determined on the basis of the Flack x parameter and Bayesian statistics on Bijvoet differences. The hydrogen‐bond donor and acceptor functions of the two hydroxy groups are employed in the formation of O—H...O‐bonded helical chains.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Conformation of 2′,3′‐Fused Oxathiane and Thiomorpholine Uridines

The syntheses of two 2′,3′‐fused bicyclic nucleoside analogues, i.e., 1‐[(4aR,5R,7R,7aS)‐hexahydro‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4,4‐dioxidofuro[3,4‐b][1,4]oxathiin‐7‐yl]pyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ( 1a ) and 1‐[(4aS,5R,7R,7aS)‐hexahydro‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1,1‐dioxido‐2H‐furo[3,4‐b][1,4]thiazin‐5‐yl]pyrimidine‐ 2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ( 1b ), are described, the key step being an intramolecular hetero‐Michael addition. Their structures and conformations, previously solved by X‐ray crystallography, were analyzed in more detail, using 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR as well as HR‐MS analyses.     

Two New Highly Oxidized Humulane Sesquiterpenes from the Basidiomycete Lactarius mitissimus

Two new highly oxidized humulane sesquiterpenes, mitissimols F ( 1 ) and G ( 2 ), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Lactarius mitissimus. Their structures were elucidated by using extensive spectroscopic techniques including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of mitissimol F ( 1 ) was determined by ¹H‐NMR resolution of its diastereoisomeric α‐methoxy‐α‐(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetates (MTPA). It was shown to be (1S,3E,6S,8R,9R,10S,11R)‐8,9 : 10,11‐diepoxy‐1,6‐dihydroxyhumul‐3‐en‐5‐one (=(1S,2R,4R,6S,8E,11S,12R)‐6,11‐dihydroxy‐1,6,10,10‐tetramethyl‐3,13‐dioxatricyclo[10.1.0.0^2,4]tridec‐8‐en‐7‐one).     

Rubriflorin A and B,Two Novel Partially Saturated Dibenzocyclooctene Lignans from Schisandra rubriflora

From the stems of Schisandra rubriflora, two novel partially saturated dibenzocyclooctene lignans, named rubriflorin A ( 1 ) and B ( 6 ), as well as the seven known partially saturated dibenzocyclooctene lignans kadsumarin A ( 2 ), kadsurin ( 3 ), heteroclitin B ( 4 ), heteroclitin C ( 5 ), heteroclitin D ( 7 ), interiorin ( 8 ), and interiorin B ( 9 ) were isolated. The structures of the new compounds 1 and 6 were established on the basis of spectral analysis as (5R,6S,7R,8R,13aS)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1,2,3,13‐tetramethoxy‐6,7‐dimethylbenz([3,4]cycloocta[1,2‐f][1,3]benzodioxol‐5‐yl (2Z)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoate and (6R,7R,12aS)‐7,8‐dihydro‐12‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,10,11‐pentamethoxy‐6,7‐dimethyl‐6H‐dibenzo[a,c]cycloocten‐5‐one, respectively.     

Four novel spirooxazacamphorsultam derivatives

The chiral compounds (6aS,9S,10aR)‐11,11‐dimethyl‐5,5‐dioxo‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydro‐6H‐6a,9‐methanooxazaolo[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐10(7H)‐one, C₁₂H₁₇NO₄S, (1), (7aS,10S,11aR)‐12,12‐dimethyl‐6,6‐dioxo‐3,4,9,10‐tetrahydro‐7H‐7a,10‐methano‐2H‐1,3‐oxazino[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐11(8H)‐one, C₁₃H₁₉NO₄S, (2), (6aS,9S,10R,10aR)‐11,11‐dimethyl‐5,5‐dioxo‐2,3,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐6H‐6a,9‐methanooxazolo[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐10‐ol, C₁₂H₁₉NO₄S, (3), and (7aS,10S,11R,11aR)‐12,12‐dimethyl‐6,6‐dioxo‐3,4,8,9,10,11‐hexahydro‐7H‐7a‐methano‐2H‐[1,3]oxazino[2,3‐i][2,1]benzisothiazol‐11‐ol, C₁₃H₂₁NO₄S, (4), consist of a camphor core with a five‐membered spirosultaoxazolidine or six‐membered spirosultaoxazine, as both their keto and hydroxy derivatives. In each structure, the molecules are linked via hydrogen bonding to the sulfonyl O atoms, forming chains in the unit‐cell b‐axis direction. The chains interconnect via weak C—H...O interactions. The keto compounds have very similar packing but represent the highest melting [507–508 K for (1)] and lowest melting [457–458 K for (2)] solids.     

A Guaianolide Sesquiterpene,a Chromenone,and a Flavanone from Ligularia macrophylla

Three new compounds, (5β,9β)‐guaia‐6,10(14)‐dien‐9‐ol (=rel‐(1R,3aS,5R,8aR)‐1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,8a‐octahydro‐1‐methyl‐4‐methylene‐7‐(1‐methylethyl)azulen‐5‐ol; 1 ), 6‐acetyl‐8‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethylchromen‐4‐one (=6‐acetyl‐8‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one; 2 ), and (2S)‐3′‐hydroxy‐5′,7‐dimethoxyflavanone (=(2S)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐(3‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one; 3 ) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Ligularia macrophylla, together with seven known compounds. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques.     

Absolute structures and conformations of the spongian diterpenes spongia‐13(16),14‐dien‐3‐one,epispongiadiol and spongiadiol

The absolute configurations of spongia‐13(16),14‐dien‐3‐one [systematic name: (3bR,5aR,9aR,9bR)‐3b,6,6,9a‐tetramethyl‐4,5,5a,6,8,9,9a,9b,10,11‐decahydrophenanthro[1,2‐c]furan‐7(3bH)‐one], C₂₀H₂₈O₂, (I), epispongiadiol [systematic name: (3bR,5aR,6S,7R,9aR,9bR)‐7‐hydroxy‐6‐hydroxymethyl‐3b,6,9a‐trimethyl‐3b,5,5a,6,7,9,9a,9b,10,11‐decahydrophenanthro[1,2‐c]furan‐8(4H)‐one], C₂₀H₂₈O₄, (II), and spongiadiol [systematic name: (3bR,5aR,6S,7S,9aR,9bR)‐7‐hydroxy‐6‐hydroxymethyl‐3b,6,9a‐trimethyl‐3b,5,5a,6,7,9,9a,9b,10,11‐decahydrophenanthro[1,2‐c]furan‐8(4H)‐one], C₂₀H₂₈O₄, (III), were assigned by analysis of anomalous dispersion data collected at 130 K with Cu Kα radiation. Compounds (II) and (III) are epimers. The equatorial 3‐hydroxyl group on the cyclohexanone ring (A) of (II) is syn with respect to the 4‐hydroxymethyl group, leading to a chair conformation. In contrast, isomer (III), where the 3‐hydroxyl group is anti to the 4‐hydroxymethyl group, is conformationally disordered between a major chair conformer where the OH group is axial and a minor boat conformer where it is equatorial. In compound (I), a carbonyl group is present at position 3 and ring A adopts a distorted‐boat conformation.     

Two stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxin­dole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa: uncarine C and uncarine E

The chloro­form solvate of uncarine C (pteropodine), (1′S,3R,4′aS,5′aS,10′aS)‐1,2,5′,5′a,7′,8′,10′,10′a‐octa­hydro‐1′‐methyl‐2‐oxospiro­[3H‐indole‐3,6′(4′aH)‐[1H]­pyrano­[3,4‐f]indolizine]‐4′‐carboxyl­ic acid methyl ester, C₂₁H₂₄N₂O₄·CHCl₃, has an absolute configuration with the spiro C atom in the R configuration. Its epimer at the spiro C atom, uncarine E (isopteropodine), (1′S,3S,4′aS,5′aS,10′aS)‐1,2,5′,5′a,7′,8′,10′,10′a‐octahydro‐1′‐methyl‐2‐oxospiro[3H‐indole‐3,6′(4′aH)‐[1H]pyrano[3,4‐f]indolizine]‐4′‐carboxylic acid methyl ester, C₂₁H₂₄N₂O₄, has Z′ = 3, with no solvent. Both form intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving only the ox­indole, with N?O distances in the range 2.759 (4)–2.894 (5) Å.     

Cinerin C: a macrophyllin‐type bicyclo[3.2.1]octane neolignan from Pleurothyrium cinereum (Lauraceae)

The structure of naturally‐occurring cinerin C [systematic name: (7S,8R,3′R,4′S,5′R)‐Δ^8′‐4′‐hydroxy‐5,5′,3′‐trimethoxy‐3,4‐methylenedioxy‐2′,3′,4′,5′‐tetrahydro‐2′‐oxo‐7.3′,8.5′‐neolignan], isolated from the ethanol extract of leaves of Pleurothyrium cinereum (Lauraceae), has previously been established by NMR and HRMS spectroscopy, and its absolute configuration established by circular dichroism measurements. For the first time, its crystal strucure has now been established by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis, as the monohydrate, C₂₂H₂₆O₇·H₂O. The bicyclooctane moiety comprises fused cyclopentane and cyclohexenone rings which are almost coplanar. An intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond links the 4′‐OH and 5′‐OCH₃ groups along the c axis.     

Two New Triterpene and a New Nortriterpene Glycosides from Phlomis viscosa

The isolation and structure elucidation of two new oleanane‐type triterpene glycosides, 29‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3β,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (=(2α,3β,4α,29α)‐29‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 1 ) and its C(20)‐epimer, 30‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2α,3β,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (=(2α,3β,4α,29β)‐29‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid; 2 ), and a novel nortriterpene glycoside, (17S)‐2α,18β,23‐trihydroxy‐3,19‐dioxo‐19(18→17)‐ abeo‐28‐norolean‐12‐en‐25‐oic acid β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester (=(1R,2S,4aS,4bR,6aR,7R,9R,10aS,10bS)‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,10a,10b,11‐tetradecahydro‐1‐hydroxy‐7‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3′,4′,4a,4b,7‐pentamethyl‐2′,8‐ dioxospiro[chrysene‐2(1H),1′‐cyclopentane]‐10a‐carboxylic acid β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester; 3 ) from Phlomis viscosa (Lamiaceae) are reported. The structures of the compounds were asigned by means of spectroscopic (IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and LC‐ESI‐MS) and chemical (acetylation) methods.     

Optically Active Transition Metal Complexes. 128 [1] Synthesis,Characterization and Molecular Structures of Cycloheptatrienyl‐Iminphos‐Molybdenum Complexes Differing Only in the Metal Configuration

The chiral‐at‐metal cycloheptatrienyl‐molybdenum complexes (R_Mo, S_C)‐[(η⁷‐C₇H₇)Mo(iminphos)(CO)]BF₄ ( 2a ) and (S_Mo, S_C)‐[(η⁷‐C₇H₇)Mo(iminphos)(CO)]BF₄ ( 2b ) (iminphos = 2‐[N‐(S)‐1‐phenylethylcarbaldimino]phenyl(diphenyl)phosphane), which only differ in the molybdenum configuration, were prepared and separated by fractional crystallization. The absolute configuration for both diastereomers was determined by X‐ray analysis. ¹H NMR studies demonstrated the configurational lability at the molybdenum centre in solution.     

Revisiting the absolute chirality and polymorphism of (–)‐Istanbulin A

The terpenoid (?)‐Istanbulin A is a natural product isolated from Senecio filaginoides DC, one of the 270 species of Senecio (Asteraceae) which occurs in Argentina. The structure and absolute configuration of this compound [9a‐hydroxy‐3,4a,5‐trimethyl‐4a,6,7,8a,9,9a‐hexahydro‐4H,5H‐naphtho[2,3‐b]‐furan‐2,8‐dione or (4S,5R,8R,10S)‐1‐oxo‐8β‐hydroxy‐10βH‐eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8β‐olide, C₁₅H₂₀O₄] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. It proved to be a sesquiterpene lactone showing an eremophilanolide skeleton whose chirality is described as 4S,5R,8R,10S. Structural results were also in agreement with the one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR and HR–ESI–MS data, and other complementary spectroscopic information. In addition, (?)‐Istanbulin A is a polymorph of the previously reported form of (?)‐Istanbulin A, form I; thus, the title compound is denoted form II or polymorph II. Structural data and a literature search allowed the chirality of Istanbulin A to be revisited. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of (?)‐Istanbulin A, form II, were evaluated in order to establish a reference for future comparisons and applications related to specific crystal forms of Istanbulins.     

Metabolism of Deuterated erythro‐Dihydroxy Fatty Acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Enantioselective Formation and Characterization of Hydroxylactones

Epoxides of fatty acids are hydrolyzed by epoxide hydrolases (EHs) into dihydroxy fatty acids which are of particular interest in the mammalian leukotriene pathway. In the present report, the analysis of the configuration of dihydroxy fatty acids via their respective hydroxylactones is described. In addition, the biotransformation of (±)‐erythro‐7,8‐ and ‐3,4‐dihydroxy fatty acids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was characterized by GC/EI‐MS analysis. Biotransformation of chemically synthesized (±)‐erythro‐7,8‐dihydroxy(7,8‐²H₂)tetradecanoic acid ((±)‐erythro‐ 1 ) in the yeast S. cerevisiae resulted in the formation of 5,6‐dihydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecanoic acid ( 6 ), which was lactonized into (5S,6R)‐6‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐5‐lactone ((5S,6R)‐ 4 ) with 86% ee and into erythro‐5‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐6‐lactone (erythro‐ 8 ). Additionally, the α‐ketols 7‐hydroxy‐8‐oxo(7‐²H₁)tetradecanoic acid ( 9a ) and 8‐hydroxy‐7‐oxo(8‐²H₁)tetradecanoic acid ( 9b ) were detected as intermediates. Further metabolism of 6 led to 3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acid ( 2 ) which was lactonized into 3‐hydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decano‐4‐lactone ( 5 ) with (3R,4S)‐ 5 =88% ee. Chemical synthesis and incubation of (±)‐erythro‐3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acid ((±)‐erythro‐ 2 ) in yeast led to (3S,4R)‐ 5 with 10% ee. No decano‐4‐lactone was formed from the precursors 1 or 2 by yeast. The enantiomers (3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐3,4‐dihydroxy(3‐²H₁)nonanoic acid ((3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐ 3 ) were chemically synthesized and comparably degraded by yeast without formation of nonano‐4‐lactone. The major products of the transformation of (3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐ 3 were (3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐3‐hydroxy(3‐²H₁)nonano‐4‐lactones ((3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐ 7 ), respectively. The enantiomers of the hydroxylactones 4, 5 , and 7 were chemically synthesized and their GC‐elution sequence on Lipodex^® E chiral phase was determined.     

Cadinene Derivatives from Eupatorium adenophorum

A new norsesquiterpene named eupatorone (= (4S,4aR,6R)‐1‐acetyl‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐4,4a,5,6‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐dimethylnaphthalen‐2(3H)‐one; 1 ) and a new sesquiterpene derivative named 2‐deoxo‐2‐(acetyloxy)‐9‐oxoageraphorone (= (1R,4S,4aR,6R,8aS)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐3,4,4a,5,6,8a‐hexahydro‐4,7‐dimethyl‐1‐(1‐methylethyl)naphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), together with the five known cadinene derivatives 3 – 7 were isolated from the flower of Eupatorium adenophorum (Spreng. ). Their structures were established by extensive NMR experiments, including 1D and 2D NMR.