4H-Chromenone Glycosides from Eranthis hyemalis (L.) SALISBURY

Investigation of the tubers of Eranthis hyemalis (Ranunculaceae) afforded six chromenone glycosides. Their structures have been elucidated mainly by spectroscopic (FAB-MS, 2D-NMR techniques) and chemical methods (acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis) as 9-{[(β-D -glucopyranosyl)oxy]methyl}-8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one ( 1 ), 9-{[(β-D -gentiobiosyl)oxy]methyl}-8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one( 2 ), 9-{[(β-D -glucopyranosvl)oxy]melhyl}-8,11-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxy-methyl)-4H-pyrano[2,3-g][1]benzoxepin-4-one( 3 ), 8-{(2E)-4-[(β-D -glucopyranosyl)oxy]-3-methylbut-2-enyl}-5,7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one ( 4 ), 8-{(2E)-4-[(β-D -glucopyranosyi)oxy]-3-methylbut-2-enyl}-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one ( 5 ), and 7-{[(β-D -glucopyranosy1)oxy]methyl}-2,3-dihydro-2-(l-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4-methoxy-5H-furo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-5-one ( 6 ). Compound 2 exhibited negative inotropic activity.     

Mechanistic and Synthetic Studies on the Formation of 1,2,4-Trioxanes Related to Arteannuin. Photooxygenation of a bicyclic dihydropyran

The photooxygenation of (4R,4aS,7R)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-3H-2-benzopyran ( 16 ) was performed in (i) MeOH, (ii) acetaldehyde, and (iii) acetone at ?78°. The products obtained respectively were (i) (2R)-2-[(1S,4R)-4-methyl-2-oxocyclohexyl]propyl formate ( 17 ; 72% yield), (ii) 17 (54.5%), (1R,4R,4aS,7R)-3,4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1H-2-benzopyran-2-yl hydroperoxide ( 19 ; 16.7%), a 12:1 ratio of (3R,4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,7,10-trimethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4-trioxane ( 20 ) and its C(3)-epimer 21 (17%), together with evidence for the 1,2-dioxetane ( 22 ) originating from the addition of dioxygen to the re-re face of the double bond of 16 , and iii) unidentified products and traces of 22 . Addition of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me₃SiOTf) to the acetone solution of 16 after photooxygenation afforded (4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,3,7,10-tetramethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4,-trioxane ( 23 , 40%). The photooxygenation of 16 in CH₂Cl₂ at ?78° followed by addition of acetone and Me₃SiOTf afforded 17 (11%), 23 (59%), and (4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,3,7,10-tetramethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[8a,1-e]-1,2,4-trioxane ( 24 ; 5%. Repetition of the last experiment, but replacing acetone by cyclopentanone, gave 17 (16%), (4′aR,7′R,7′aS,10′R,11′aR)-7′,7′a,8′,9′,10′,11′-hexahydro-7′,10′-dimethylspiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-6′H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4-trixane] ( 25 ; 61%), and (4′aR,7′R,7′aS,10′R,11′aR)-7′,7′a,8′,9′,10′,11′-hexahydro-7′,10′-dimethylspiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-6′H-[2]benzopyrano[8a,1-e]-1,2,4-trixane] ( 26 , 4%). The X-ray analysis of 23 was performed, which together with the NMR data, established the structure of the trioxanes 20, 21, 24, 25 , and 26 . Mechanistic and synthesis aspects of these reactions were discussed in relation to the construction of the 1,2,4-trioxane ring in arteannuin and similar molecules.     

Synthesis,structures, and photochromic properties of 3-[(<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-alk-1-enyl]-4-(1-alkyl-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-indol-3-yl)furan-2,5-diones

New hetarylethenes, viz., 3-[(E)-alk-1-enyl]-4-(1-alkyl-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)furan-2,5-diones, exhibiting photochromic properties in solution were synthesized. The molecular and crystal structure of 3-(5-methoxy-1,2-dimethyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]furan-2,5-dione was determined by X-ray diffraction. The initial and photoinduced forms of hetarylethenes are characterized by thermal stability. The open-ring isomers of furandiones exhibit fluorescence with quantum yields of up to 0.1.     

Chiral cyclohexene block from <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-(−)-carvone

The oxidation with SeO₂ of a methyl group linked to an sp²-hybridized carbon in the product of the intramolecular iodoetherification of cis-carveol afforded (1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-en-4-carbaldehyde and [(1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-4-yl]methanol that were oxidized to methyl (1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-4-carboxylate. The latter by the Zn-promoted opening of the γ-oxide ring was converted into the target chiral block, methyl (4R,6R)-6-hydroxy-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-encarboxylate.     

Synthesis of the Bretonins,Polyolefinic Esterified Glyceryl Ethers of an Unidentified Sponge from the North-Brittany Sea: Absolute Configuration and Novel Structure Assignment

The absolute configurations of acetylated bretonin A (= (+}-( R )-1-[(acetoxy)methyl]-2-{[(4E,6E,8E)-dodeca-4,6,8-trienyl]oxy}ethyl 4-acetoxybenzoate; (?)- 1b ) and isobretonin A (= (+)-(S)-3-{[(4E,6E,8E)-do-deca-4,6,8-trienyl]oxy}-2-hydroxypropyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; (+)-2), previously isolated from an undetermined sponge of the North Brittany sea, were established by comparison with synthetic (+)- lb and (+)- 2 , obtained from the condensation of commerical (?)-(R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl p-toluenesuifonate ((?)-(R)- 15 ) with a mixture of (4E,6E,8E)- ( 14e ) and (4E,6Z,8E)-dodeca-4,6,8-trien-1-ol ( 14z ). This also allowed confirming the structure and configuration of bretonin B (= (S)-2-{[(4E,6Z,8E)-dodeca-4,6,8-trienyl]oxy}-1-(hydroxy-methyl)ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; 3 ) which was also isolated from the same sponge, albeit in a too small amount for a complete study. As concerns the glyceryl ethers precursors of the bretonins, co-occurrence of the usual (S)-con-figuration (from 1a ) with the unusual (R)-configuration (from (+)- 2 )) poses intriguing biogenetic problems.     

New α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors from the Mongolian Medicinal Plant Ferula mongolica

The four new and four known sesquiterpenoid derivatives 1 – 4 and 5 – 8 , respectively, were isolated from the air‐dried roots of Ferula mongolica. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and found to be rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,8‐dihydroxy‐2‐methyl‐2H,5H‐pyrano[2,3‐b][1]benzopyran‐5‐one ( 1 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[2,3‐b][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 2 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 3 ), rel‐(2R,3R)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dienyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐one ( 4 ), (4E,8E)‐1‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5,9,13‐trimethyltetradeca‐4,8,12‐trien‐1‐one ( 5 ), the rel‐(2R,3S) diastereoisomer 6 of 2 , the rel‐(2R,3S) diastereoisomer 7 of 4 , and (4E,8E)‐1‐(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐5,9,13‐trimethyltetradeca‐4,8,12‐trien‐1‐one ( 8 ). These compounds were tested as inhibitors against the enzyme α‐glucosidase. The compounds 1 – 6 and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory activity and, therefore, represent a new class of α‐glucosidase inhibitors.     

Sarcodictyin A and Sarcodictyin B,Novel Diterpenoidic Alcohols Esterified by (E)-N(1)-Methylurocanic Acid. Isolation from the Mediterranean Stolonifer Sarcodictyon roseum

The Mediterranean stolonifer Sarcodictyon roseum (= Rolandia rosea) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonaria, Stolonifera, Clavulariidae) is shown to contain two novel diterpenoidic alcohols esterified by (E)-N(1)-methyl-urocanic acid (= E)-3-(l-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)acrylic acid). They are sarcodictyin A ( = (?)-(4R,4a,R, 7R,10S,11S,12aR,lZ,5E,8Z)-7,10-epoxy-3,4,4a,7,10,11,12,12a-octahydro-7-hydroxy-6-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,10-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)benzocyclodecen-11-yl (E)-3-(1-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)acrylate; (?)- 1 ) and sarco-dictyin B (the 6-(ethoxycarbonyl analogue; (?)- 2 ). The assignment of the structures is mainly based on 1D- and 2D-NMR data, as well as on chemical transformations of (?)- 1 , such as transesterification with MeONa/MeOH giving methyl (E)-N(1)-methylurocanate ( 3 ) and the free alcohol (+)- 4 and reduction with LiAlH₄ followed by benzoylation giving dibenzoate 7. Absolute configurations are based on Horeau's method of esterification of (+)- 4 .     

Two androsterone derivatives as inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis

The title compounds, (3R,5S,5′R,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐5′‐(2‐methylpropyl)tetradecahydro‐6′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,2′‐[1,4]oxazinane]‐6′,17(2H)‐dione, C₂₆H₄₁NO₃, (I), and methyl (2R)‐2‐[(3R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐2′,17‐dioxohexadecahydro‐3′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,5′‐[1,3]oxazolidin‐3′‐yl]]‐4‐methylpentanoate, C₂₈H₄₃NO₅, (II), possess the typical steroid shape (A–D rings), but they differ in their extra E ring. The azalactone E ring in (I) shows a half‐chair conformation, while the carbamate E ring of (II) is planar. The orientation of the E‐ring substituent is clearly established and allows a rationalization of the biological results obtained with such androsterone derivatives.     

Four Novel Dihydroisocoumarin (=3,4‐Dihydro‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one) Glucosides from the Fungus Cephalosporium sp. AL031

Four novel dihydroisocoumarin (=3,4‐dihydro‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one) glucosides were isolated from a culture broth of a strain of the fungus Cephalosporium sp. AL031. Their structures were elucidated as (2E,4E)‐5‐[(3S)‐5‐acetyl‐8‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐1‐oxo‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐3‐yl]penta‐2,4‐dienal ( 1 ), (2E,4E)‐5‐[(3S)‐5‐acetyl‐8‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐methoxy‐1‐oxo‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐3‐yl]penta‐2,4‐dienal ( 2 ), (3S)‐8‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐3‐[(1E,3E,5E)‐hepta‐1,3,5‐trienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one ( 3 ), and (3S)‐8‐[(6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3‐[(1E,3E,5E)‐hepta‐1,3,5‐trienyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐methoxy‐5‐methyl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐one ( 4 ) by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR techniques and chemical methods.     

Ceramides Isolated from Helianthus annuus L.

Three new compounds (2R)‐2‐hydroxy‐N‐[(2S,3S,4R,10E)‐1,3,4‐trihydroxyicos‐10‐en‐2‐yl]docosanamide ( 1 ), (2R,3R)‐2,3‐dihydroxy‐N‐[(2S,3S,4R,10E)‐1,3,4‐trihydroxyicos‐10‐en‐2‐yl]docosanamide ( 2 ), N‐(2‐phenylethyl)tetracosanamide ( 3 ), together with a known ceramide, (2R)‐N‐[(2S,3S,4R,8E)‐1‐(β‐D ‐Glucopyranosyloxy)‐3,4‐dihydroxyoctadec‐8‐en‐2‐yl]‐2‐hydroxyhexadecanamide ( 4 ), were isolated from acetone extract of flower disc of Helianthus annuus L. The structures were identified on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Two (E,E)- and (Z,E)-thiazol-5-ylpenta-2,4-dienones

In order to characterize the structural elements that might play a role in non-covalent DNA binding by the antitumor antibiotic leinamycin, we have solved the crystal structures of the two leinamycin analogs, methyl (R)-5-{2-[1-(tert-butoxy­carbonyl­amino)­ethyl]­thia­zol-4-yl}penta-(E,E)-2,4-dienoate, C₁₆H₂₂N₂O₄S, (II), and 2-methyl-8-oxa-16-thia-3,17-di­aza­bicyclo­[12.2.1]­heptadeca-(Z,E)-1(17),10,12,14-tetraene-4,9-di­one, C₁₄H₁₆N₂O₃S, (III). The penta-2,4-dienone moiety in both of these analogs adopts a conformation close to planarity, with the thia­zole ring twisted out of the plane by 12.9 (2)° in (II) and by 21.4 (4)° in (III).     

Muricatetrocins A and B and Gigantetrocin B: Three New Cytotoxic Monotetrahydrofuran-Ring Acetogenins from Annona muricata

Extracts from the seeds of Annona muricata yielded three new Annonaceous acetogenins: muricatetrocin A (= (5S)-3-{(2R)-2-hydroxy-9-{(2R,5S)-tetrahydro-5-[(1S,4S,5S)-1,4,5-trihydroxyheptadecyl]furan-2-yl}nonyl}-5-methylfuran-2(5H)-one; 1 ), muricatetrocin B (= (5S)-{(2R)-2-hydroxy-9-{(2S,5S)-tetrahydro-5-[(1S,4S,5S)-1,4,5-trihydroxyheptadecyl]furan-2-yl}nonyl}-5-methylfuran-2(5H)-one; 2 ), and gigantetrocin B (= (5S)-3-{(2R)-2-hydroxy-7-{(2S,5S)-tetrahydro-5-[(1S,4R,5R)-1,4,5-trihydroxynonadecyl]furan-2-yl}heptyl}-5-methyl-furan-2(5H)-one; 3 ). Their C-skeletons were deduced by mass spectrometry. Configurations were determined by ¹H-NMR of ketal derivatives and 2D-NMR experiments utilizing Mosher esters. A previously described compound, gigantetrocin A (= (5S)-3-{(2R)-2-hydroxy-7-{(2S,5S)-tetrahydro-5-[(1S,4S,5S)-1,4,5-trihydroxynonadecyl]furan-2-yl}heptyl}-5-methylfuran-2-(5H)one; 4 ), was also isolated and is new to this species. Compounds 1–4 were all selectively cytotoxic for the HT-29 human colon-tumor cell line with potencies at least 10 times that of adriamycin.     

A Novel,Degraded Polyketidic Lactone,Leptosphaerolide, and Its Likely Diketone Precursor,Leptosphaerodione. Isolation from Cultures of the Marine Ascomycete Leptosphaeria oraemaris (LINDER)

Acetone extraction of cultures of the marine ascomycete Leptosphaeria oraemaris (LINDER) on cornmeal disk gave the novel polyketide derivative leptosphaerolide ( = (+)-7-[(1E)-l,3-dimethylpent-1-enyl]-10-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzo[1,2-b:5,4-c′]dipyran-2(9H)-one; (4+)-8) besides the o-dihydroquinone 3-[(1E)-1,3-dimethylpent-1-euyl]-8,10-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-8-(2-oxopropyl)-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-9(8H)-one ( 1 ) as a 10:9 mixture of epimers. retro-Aldol reaction of 1 gave leptosphaerodione ( = (?)-3-[(1E)-1,3-dimethylpent-1-enyl]-10-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-8,9(8H)-dione; (?)-6) which was also present in small amounts in the extracts and which gave 1 on reaction with acetone. It is thus likely that 1 is an artefact of the extraction by acetone. Biogenetically (+)-8 might derive from (?)-6 via an unusual oxidation with loss of CO₂.     

The Deoxygenation and Isomerization of Artemisinin and Artemether and Their Relevance to Antimalarial Action

The treatment of artemisinin ( 1 ) and β-artemether ( 6 ) with Zn dissolving in AcOH for a few hours results in mono-deoxygenation giving deoxyartemisinin ( 5 ) and deoxy-β-artemether ( 7 ), respectively, as the sole product. In contrast, submission of 1 to FeCl₂ · 4 H₂O in MeCN at room temperature for 15 min causes only isomerization, (3aS,4R,6aS,7R,10S,10aR)-octahydro-4,7-dimethyl-8-oxo-2H-10H-furo[3,2-i] benzopyran-10-yl acetate ( 8 ) and (3R)-3-hydroxydeoxyartemisinin ( 9 ) being produced in 78 and 17% yield, respectively. The action of FeCl₂ · 4 H₂O in MeCN on 6 is similar. Under the same conditions, 6 gives products analogous to 8 and 9 accompanied by an epimeric mixture of 2-[4-methyl-2-oxo-3-(3-oxobutyl)cyclohexyl]propanaldehyde in yields of 32, 23, and 16%, respectively. No epoxide is formed on repeating the last two experiments in the presence of cyclohexene. The deoxygenation of 1 and 6 by Zn is rationalized in terms of its oxophilic nature. The catalyzed isomerization of 1 and 6 by Fe²⁺ is attributed to the redox properties of the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ system.     

Synthesis of 1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide

The reaction of methyl 2-bromo-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylate ( 1 ) with methanesulfonamide gave methyl 2-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridine-carboxylate ( 2 ). Alkylation of compound 2 with methyl iodide followed by cyclization of the resulting methyl 2-[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylate ( 3 ) yielded 1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide ( 4 ). The reaction of compound 4 with α,2,4-trichlorotoluene, methyl bromopropionate, methyl iodide, 3-trifluoromethylphenyl isocyanate, phenyl isocyanate and 2,4-dichloro-5-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl isothiocyanate gave, respectively, 4-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methoxy]-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazine 2,2-dioxide ( 5 ), methyl 2-[[1-methyl-2,2-dioxido-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4-yl]oxy]propanoate ( 6 ), 1,3,3-trimethyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide ( 7 ), 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazine-3-carboxamide 2,2-dioxide ( 8 ), 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-N-phenyl-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2]thiazine-3-carboxamide 2,2-dioxide ( 9 ) and N-[2,4-dichloro-5-(2-propynyloxy)phenyl]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrido[2,3-c][1,2] thiazine-3-carboxamide 2,2-dioxide ( 10 ).     

Anatoliosides: Five Novel Acyclic Monoterpene Glylcosides from Viburnum orientale

Five new acyclic monoterpene glycosides 1 – 5 were isolated from the leaves of Viburnum orientale (Caprifoliaceae). Anatolioside ( 1 ) is a monoterpene diglycoside and its structure was elucidated as linalo-6-yl 2′-O-(α-L -rhamnopyranosyl)β-D -glucopyranoside (arbitrary numbering of linalool moiety). Compounds 2 – 5 are all derivatives of 1 , containing additional monoterpene and sugar units, connected by ester and glycoside bonds. Their structures were established as linalo-6-yl O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1″? → 2″″)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside A; 2 ), linalo-6-yl O-β-D -glucopyranosyl-(1? → 6?)-O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1″ → 2′)–β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside B; 3 ), linalo-6-yl O-β-D ribo-hexopyranos-3-ulosyl-(1′? → 6?)-O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1″ → 2′)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside C; 4 ) and linalo-6-yl O-[(2E, 6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1″? → 2″″)-O-β-D -glucopyranosly-(1″″ → 6?)-O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl(1″ → 2′)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside D ; 5 ). The structure determinations were based on spectroscopic and chemical methods (acid and alkaline hydrolysis, acetylation and methylation).     

Synthesis of methyl (E)-2-[(3S,4S)-4-hydroxy-3-(pent-3-yloxy)-pyrrolidin-2-ylidene]propanoate and its unusual recyclization

Methyl (2E,4S,5S)-5-hydroxy-6-mesyloxy-2-methyl-4-(pent-3-yloxy)hex-2-enoate was synthesized from l-tartaric acid. Attempted substitution of the mesyloxy group by the reaction with NaN₃ directly led to methyl (E)-2-[(3S,4S)-4-hydroxy-3-(pent-3-yloxy)pyrrolidin-2-ylidene]propanoate. The latter on treatment with CF₃COOH and then NaOH gave methyl (2E)-2-methyl-4-[(S)-oxiran-2-yl]-4-(pent-3-yloxy)but-2-enoate.     

Cerebrosides from the Rhizomes of Gynura Japonica

Four new cerebrosides, gynuramides I?IV ( 1 ‐ 4 ), together with 37 known compounds were isolated from the rhizome of Gynura japonica. The structures of cerebrosides 1 ‐ 4 were determined by chemical and spectroscopic examination to be: (2S,3S,4R,8E)‐2‐[(R)‐2‐hydroxypentacosanoylamino]‐8‐en‐1,3,4‐octadecanetriol, (2S,3S,4R,8E)‐2‐[(R)‐2‐hydroxytetracosanoylamino]‐8‐en‐1,3,4‐octadecanetriol, (2S,3S,4R,8E)‐2‐[(R)‐2‐hydroxytricosanoylamino]‐8‐en‐1,3,4‐octadecanetriol, and (2S,3S,4R,8E)‐2‐[(R)‐2‐hydroxydocosanoylamino]‐8‐en‐1,3,4‐octadecanetriol.     

Hydrolytic Reaction of Plant Extracts to Generate Molecular Diversity: New Dammarane Glycosides from the Mild Acid Hydrolysate of Root Saponins of Panax notoginseng

Molecular diversity was generated by hydrolyzing the crude root saponins of Panax notoginseng (Burk .) F. H. Chen under mild acidic condition (AcOH/EtOH 1 : 1). From the acid hydrolysate, five new dammarane glycosides, named notoginsenoside T₁ (=(3β,6α,12β,20E,23RS)‐24,25‐epoxy‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐dammar‐20(22)‐ene‐3,12,23‐triol; 1 ), notoginsenoside T₂ (=(3β,6α,12β,20E,23RS)‐24,25‐epoxy‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐23‐methoxydammar‐20(22)‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 2 ), notoginsenoside T₃ (=(3β,6α,12β,20S)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐20‐ethoxydammar‐24‐ene‐3,12‐diol; 3 ), notoginsenoside T₄ (=(3β,6α,12β,20S,22E,24RS)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]dammar‐22‐ene‐3,12,20,24,25‐pentol; 4 ), and notoginsenoside T₅ (=(3β,6α,12β, 24E)‐6‐[(β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]dammara‐20(21),24‐diene‐3,12‐diol; 5 ), were isolated, together with 15 known dammarane glycosides, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Among the known compounds, ginsenosides Rg₃ and Rh₁ were isolated as major constituents, in addition to ginsenosides Rg₅, Rh₄, and a mixture of (20R)‐ and (20S)‐25‐hydroxyginsenoside Rh₁, all of which were obtained from P. notoginseng for the first time.     

Chemistry of Spontaneous Alkylation of Methimazole with 1,2-Dichloroethane

Spontaneous S-alkylation of methimazole (1) with 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) into 1,2-bis[(1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)thio]ethane (2), that we have described recently, opened the question about its formation pathway(s). Results of the synthetic, NMR spectroscopic, crystallographic and computational studies suggest that, under given conditions, 2 is obtained by direct attack of 1 on the chloroethyl derivative 2-[(chloroethyl)thio]-1-methyl-1H-imidazole (3), rather than through the isolated stable thiiranium ion isomer, i.e., 7-methyl-2H, 3H, 7H-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-4-ium chloride (4a, orthorhombic, space group Pnma), or in analogy with similar reactions, through postulated, but unproven intermediate thiiranium ion 5. Furthermore, in the reaction with 1, 4a prefers isomerization to the N-chloroethyl derivative, 1-chloroethyl-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thione (7), rather than alkylation to 2, while 7 further reacts with 1 to form 3-methyl-1-[(1-methyl-imidazole-2-yl)thioethyl]-1H-imidazole-2-thione (8, monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c). Additionally, during the isomerization of 3, the postulated intermediate thiiranium ion 5 was not detected by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, nor by trapping with AgBF₄. However, trapping resulted in the formation of the silver complex of compound 3, i.e., bis-{2-[(chloroethyl)thio]-1-methyl-1H-imidazole}-silver(I)tetrafluoroborate (6_, monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c), which cyclized upon heating at 80 °C to 7-methyl-2H, 3H, 7H-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-4-ium tetrafluoroborate (4b, monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c). Finally, we observed thermal isomerization of both 2 and 2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-1-[(1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)thioethyl]-1H-imidazole-2-thione (8), into 1,2-bis(2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thione-1-yl)ethane (9), which confirmed their structures.