Gram scale synthesis of the C(1)–C(9) fragment of amphidinolide C

An allylic cis-epoxide prepared by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation was transformed in nine steps and 41% overall yield to the cyclization precursor 4 via a key one carbon homologation. Cobalt-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of 4 gave the trans-THF in 94% yield at gram scale. Subsequent manipulations, including a Still–Gennari olefination, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Corey–Fuchs alkynylation, and Kazmaier hydrostannylation provided the fully functionalized C(1)–C(9) fragment 2 suitable for cross-coupling. The sequence is readily scalable and provides gram quantities of 2.     

Total synthesis of reblastatin: convenient preparation of coupling partners and scaled assembly

Potentially scalable total synthesis of reblastatin was achieved based on Panek's previous study. Novel and convenient synthetic routes were developed for the known C8–C20 and C1–C7 coupling partners. The challenging C8–C20 fragment was prepared from TBS protected (S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (6) in nine steps (20% overall yield), and the C1–C7 fragment was synthesized from commercially available 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal (9) in eight steps (35% overall yield). On a larger scale, Panek's eight-step assembly of the target molecule from the two partners was also slightly modified, giving 45 mg reblastatin (19% overall yield) in the first batch synthesis. Notable feature of our study is the settlement of the C14 chirality through a diastereoselective α-alkylation of 6 followed by a three-step full reduction of the lactone carboxyl, making vastly available 6 a universally applicable C11–C14 synthon for benzenoid/benzoquinone ansamycins.     

Asymmetric synthesis of the 2,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopentanone,D-ring fragment of 9,11-secosterols

As a part of our studies on the total synthesis of 9,11-secosterols, the possibility of creating a substituted and functionalized D-ring fragment with three consecutive stereocentres, one of which was quaternary, was studied. The simple starting compound 2-methyl-cyclopent-2-ene-1-one was subjected to asymmetric 1,4-addition with (S,S)-crotyl phosphonamide and alkylation with methyl bromoacetate, resulting in a 2,2,3-substituted cyclopentanone in high diastereoselectivity. The covalently bonded chiral auxiliary was removed using oxidative methods. As a result, a stable D-ring fragment was obtained. The relative configuration of the substituents on the cyclopentane ring was assigned by comparison of the experimental with the quantum chemically calculated ¹H–¹H and ¹H–¹³C J-coupling constants.     

A synthetic approach to palmerolides via Negishi cross coupling. The challenge of the C15–C16 bond formation

The esterification of fragment C1–C8 (2) with fragment C16–C23 (3) to give iodo derivative 4, followed by a Pd-catalysed coupling with a C9–C15 fragment (7 or 8), may provide a common precursor of most palmerolides. Ligands and reaction conditions were exhaustively examined to perform the C15–C16 bond formation via Negishi reaction. With simple models, pre-activated Pd–Xantphos and Pd–DPEphos complexes were the most efficient catalysts at RT. Zincation of the C9–C15 fragment (8) and cross coupling with 4 required 3 equiv of t-BuLi, 10 mol % of Pd–Xantphos and 60 °C.     

Synthesis of l-azaisotryptophan and its analogs: a general access to new 2-substituted azaindoles

l-(N-Cbz)-7-azaisotryptophan, l-(N-Cbz)-1a, a new isostere of tryptophan, was synthesized by reacting Li₂-(N-Boc)-2-amino-3-picoline, Li₂-(N-Boc)-2a, with appropriately protected l-aspartic acid followed by simple functional group manipulation. This synthetic success led us to access a set of analogs of azaisotryptophan (4a–c; 6a–c) as well as a new class of chiral amines (7a–c; 8a–c) for future application in asymmetric synthesis and design of homochiral ligands. Further, we have generalized the method substantiating a variety of new azaindol-2-yl derivatives (10aa–10lc) with functionalized substituents. In a preliminary luminescence characterization, l-(N-Cbz)-1a has exhibited about 30 nm bathochromic shifted fluorescence emission compared to tryptophan and (N-Cbz)-tryptophan.     

Parameters estimation and VLE calculation in asymmetric binary mixtures containing carbon dioxide + n-alkanols

In the present work, the estimation of the parameters for asymmetric binary mixtures of carbon dioxide + n-alkanols has been developed. The binary interaction parameter k₁₂ of the second virial coefficient and non-random two liquid model parameters τ₁₂ and τ₂₁ were obtained using Peng–Robinson equation of state coupled with the Wong–Sandler mixing rules. In all cases, Levenberg–Marquardt minimization algorithm was used for the parameters optimization employing an objective function based on the calculation of the distribution coefficients for each component. Vapor–liquid equilibrium for binary asymmetric mixtures (CO₂ + n-alkanol, from methanol to 1-decanol) was calculated using the obtained values of the mentioned parameters. The agreement between calculated and experimental values was satisfactory.     

Synthesis of amphidinolide Y precursors

The Negishi coupling between a chiral C3 synthon and an iodoalkene arising from 3-butyn-1-ol, which gave the C3–C9 fragment of amphidinolide Y, was the starting point of a formal total synthesis of this marine natural product. By means of Sharpless ADH and TADDOL-mediated crotylation, the full western fragment (C1–C11) was obtained, which was coupled with the eastern fragment (3-hydroxyoxolane derivative). The penultimate step (ring-closing metathesis, with G-II, H–G-II, or Nitro-Grela reagents, under several conditions) posed great difficulties. The cyclization was achieved with 15c (7,9-bis-O-TES) and 15d (7-O-TES, 9-O-TBS); more than stoichiometric amounts of the H–G-II Ru complex were required for complete conversion.     

Complementary fragmentation pattern analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the precious lignan content of Cirsium weeds

In this paper, as novelties to the field, it is confirmed at first, that the fruits of Cirsium species, regarded as injurious weeds, do contain lignans, two, different butyrolactone-type glycoside/aglycone pairs: the well known arctiin/arctigenin and the particularly rare tracheloside/trachelogenin species. These experiences were supported by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/(MS)) and by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The study reflects the powerful impact of the complementary chromatographic mass fragmentation evidences resulting in the identification and quantification, the extremely rare, with on line technique not yet identified and described, tracheloside/trachelogenin pair lignans, without authentic standard compounds. Fragmentation pattern analysis of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of trachelogenin, based on GC–MS, via two different fragmentation pathways confirmed the detailed structure of the trachelogenin molecule. The complementary chromatographic evidences have been unambiguously confirmed, by ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis of trachelogenin, isolated by preparative chromatography. Identification and quantification of the fruit extracts of four Cirsium (C.) species (C. arvense, C. canum, C. oleraceum, and C. palustre), revealed that (i) all four species do accumulate the tracheloside/trachelogenin or the arctiin/arctigenin butyrolactone-type glycoside/aglycone pairs, (ii) the overwhelming part of lignans are present as glycosides (tracheloside 9.1–14.5 mg/g, arctiin 28.6–39.3 mg/g, expressed on dry fruit basis), (iii) their acidic and enzymatic hydrolyses to the corresponding aglycones, to trachelogenin and arctigenin are fast and quantitative and (iv) the many-sided beneficial trachelogenin and arctigenin can be prepared separately, without impurities, excellent for medicinal purposes.     

A rapid ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of seven benzodiazepines in human plasma samples

A simple and efficient ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) method has been developed for the determination of seven benzodiazepines (alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, lormetazepam and tetrazepam) in human plasma samples. Chloroform and methanol were used as extractant and disperser solvents, respectively. The influence of several variables (e.g., type and volume of dispersant and extraction solvents, pH, ultrasonic time and ionic strength) was carefully evaluated and optimized, using an asymmetric screening design 3²4²//16. Analysis of extracts was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (UPLC-PDA). Under the optimum conditions, two reversed-phases, Shield RP18 and C18 columns were successfully tested, obtaining good linearity in a range of 0.01–5 μg mL⁻¹, with correlation coefficients r > 0.996. Quantification limits ranged between 4.3–13.2 ng mL⁻¹ and 4.0–14.8 ng mL⁻¹, were obtained for C18 and Shield RP18 columns, respectively. The optimized method exhibited a good precision level, with relative standard deviation values lower than 8%. The recoveries studied at two spiked levels, ranged from 71 to 102% for all considered compounds. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of seven benzodiazepines in real human plasma samples.     

New alkaloids sinomacutines A–E,and cephalonine-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside from rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum

Phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum led to the isolation of new alkaloids sinomacutines A–E (1–5), and cephalonine-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), along with known tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (7–9). Among them, sinomacutines A–C were new bistetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids with morphinane–proaporphine and morphinane–benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline types, and coupled with unique C–CH₂–N unit. Their structures with absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD spectra analysis. The new compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities, and sallisonine B (2) showed moderate ability to inhibit NO production of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, as well as sallisonine A (1) showed weak inhibitory effects against five cancer cell lines.     

Neomacrophorin I,II, and III,novel drimenyl cyclohexanes with hydroxylated butanoates from Trichoderma sp. 1212-03

Neomacrophorins I (1), II (2), and III (3) were isolated from the culture broth of Trichoderma sp. 1212-03, which was collected at Shirakami Mountainous area in Japan. Structural analyses disclosed that these resemble known macrophorins but possess axial-hydroxy group at C3 as well as different side chains at C7′. These are diastereomeric forms of macrophorins for 5′,6′-epoxide functionality. The NMR analyses suggested their relative configurational relationship between the C1–C15 drimene and C1′–C7′ epoxyquinone moieties. ECD spectral discussions verified them particularly for C5′,C6′-epoxyquinone (1), C5′,C6′-epoxysemiquinone (2 and 3), and 2″,3″-dihydroxybutanoate moiety in 1 and 2. The configuration of C3″-stereocenter of 3 was determined by chiral GC–MS after converting into methyl (S)-3″-hydroxybutanoate by basic of 3 methanolysis. Biological assays disclosed that 1 induces hyphal branching of Cochliobolus miyabeanus as well as cytotoxicity against human colorectal cancer COLO 201.     

Chiral dioxovanadium(V) Schiff base complexes of 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaminoethane and aromatic o-hydroxyaldehydes: Synthesis,characterization, catalytic properties and structure

A series of dioxovanadium(V) complexes of tridentate ligands obtained by monocondensation of chiral 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-diaminoethane and aromatic o-hydroxyaldehydes was synthesized. The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods in the solid state (IR) and in solution (UV–Vis, CD, ¹H and ⁵¹V NMR). Single crystal X-ray analysis was performed with (VO₂L · H₂O)₂, denoted as (4 · H₂O)₂, where L is (S,S)-1-amino-2-{(2′-oxido-4′,6′-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene}amino-1,2-diphenylethane. Crystal structure analysis revealed that (4 · H₂O)₂ contains oxo-bridged dimers of 4 joined with water molecules by hydrogen bonding interactions, and that two five-membered chelate rings in the dimeric molecule adopt different envelope conformations, one on the asymmetric carbon atom linked to the azomethine nitrogen and the other on the asymmetric carbon atom linked to the primary amino nitrogen. The (S,S)- and (R,R)-complexes bearing the methoxy substituent in positions 3 or 5 of the salicylidene moiety catalyze the oxidation of phenyl methyl sulfide by cumene hydroperoxide yielding the corresponding sulfoxide almost quantitatively with 34–39% enantiomeric excess.     

Stereodefined synthesis of the four possible stereoisomers of 5,18-diHETE

Because of the structural similarity between 5,18-diHETE and anti-inflammatory resolvin E2, synthesis of 5,18-diHETE was studied. Methyl (R)-3-hydroxyvalerate was converted to the (R)-C9–C20 phosphonium salt via alkylation of the derived iodide with propargyl alcohol dianion and subsequent Castro-Stephens coupling. The (S)-enantiomer was prepared via Mitsunobu inversion. The (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of the γ-TMS-propargylic alcohol corresponding to the C1–C7 part were constructed by asymmetric hydrogen transfer reaction and converted to the (R)- and (S)-enals by adding the aldehyde carbon using the reaction of the derived TMS-epoxide with Et₂AlCN followed by hydride reduction. The (R)-enantiomer of the C1–C8 enal was coupled with the (R)-C9–C20 phosphonium salt by Wittig reaction, and the functional group in the product was transformed to afford 5R,18R-diHETE stereoselectively. Other stereoisomers were synthesized as well.     

New silver(I)–monophosphine complex derived from chiral Ar-BINMOL: synthesis and catalytic activity in asymmetric vinylogous Mannich reaction

A new family of C₂-axially chiral monophosphines (Ar-NNPs) from Ar-BINMOLs was developed for silver-catalyzed asymmetric vinylogous Mannich reaction of (furan-2-yloxy)trimethylsilane with aromatic aldimines. It was found that the enantioselective vinylogous Mannich-type reactions of trimethylsiloxyfuran with aldimines are catalyzed efficiently by silver(I) complexes of the Ar-BINMOL-derived chiral monophosphine. This procedure displays wide aldimine versatility, excellent yields (up to 99% isolated yields), moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 78%ee) and exceptional diastereoselectivity (>99:1 dr) in most cases examined. The molecular structure of silver–monophosphine complex was confirmed by X-ray analysis and revealed that the benzyl group on chiral monophosphine provided dual function with weak silver–π/π–π stacking and steric repulsion to favour the diastereoselective Re-nucleophilic addition of siloxyfuran to imine.     

Cytosporins F–K,new epoxyquinols from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis theae

Chemical investigation of an endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis theae, isolated from the leaves of Turraeanthus longipes (Meliaceae) collected in Cameroon, resulted in the isolation of six new epoxyquinols, cytosporins F–K (2–7), together with the known cytosporin D (1). The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously determined by analysis of the 1D, 2D NMR, and HRMS spectra. Cytosporins G–K (3–7) are the first cytosporins with a hydroxyl substituted C₇ side chain, while cytosporins F–I (2–5) contain a 13-acetoxyl group that was not reported previously. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for the cytosporin derivatives is proposed.     

Daphnauranols A–C,new antifeedant sesquiterpenoids with a 5/6/7 ring system from Daphne aurantiaca

Daphnauranols A–C (1–3), three new sesquiterpenoids with an unprecedented 5/6/7 ring system, were isolated from the stems of Daphne aurantiaca Diels. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic methods including MS and NMR. The absolute configuration of daphnauranol A was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα). Their anti-feedant activity was tested, and the fruit fly antifeedant index (AI) were 39.8 ± 7.2%, 29.4 ± 7.2%, and 26.3 ± 6.4%, respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization and spectroscopic studies of a new ligand [N′-(2-methoxybenzoyl)hydrazinecarbodithioate] ethyl ester and its Mn(II) and Cd(II) complexes: X-ray structural study of Mn(II) complex

A new dithioligand [N′-(2-methoxybenzoyl)hydrazinecarbodithioate] ethyl ester (H₂mbhce, 1) formed complexes [M(Hmbhce)₂]_n {M = Mn(II), Cd(II)} which have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry. [Mn(Hmbhce)₂]_n (2) crystallized in monoclinic system with space group P₂₁/n. In the polymeric structure of 2, the ligand acts as an uninegative tridentate N(1), O(1), S(3) donor and forms a five membered chelate ring with N(1), C(2) and O(1). The intermediate bond lengths (between single and double bond distances) O(1)–C(2) = 1.241(3), N(2)–C(2) = 1.325(3), N(1)–N(2) = 1.393(2), N(1)–C(8) = 1.311(3) ? and C(8)–S(3) = 1.704(2) Å suggest considerable delocalization of charge which develops slightly aromatic character in the chelate ring.     

Liquid chromatography–tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry measurement of targeted metabolites of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 grown on two different carbon sources

Complementary methods using liquid chromatography–tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–TOF-MS) were developed and applied to determine targeted metabolites involved in central carbon metabolism [including tricarboxylic acid cycle, serine cycle, ethylmalonyl-coenzyme A (ethylmalonyl-CoA) pathway and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate cycle] of the bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 grown on two carbon sources, ethylamine (C2) and succinate (C4). Nucleotides, acyl-CoAs and a few volatile metabolites in cell extracts of M. extorquens AM1 were readily separated using either hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography or reversed-phase liquid chromatography, and detected with good sensitivity by MS/MS. However, volatile intermediates within a low mass range (<300 m/z), especially at low abundance (such as glyoxylic acid and others <500 nM), were more effectively analyzed by GC × GC–TOF-MS which often provided better sensitivity, resolution and reproducibility. The complementary nature of the LC-based and GC-based methods allowed the comparison of 39 metabolite concentrations (the lowest level was at 139.3 nM). The overlap between the LC-based and GC-based methods of seven metabolites provided a basis to check for consistency between the two methods, and thus provided some validation of the quantification accuracy. The abundance change of 20 intermediates further suggested differences in pathways linked to C2 and C4 metabolism.     

Solvent-free synthesis of novel unsymmetric chenodeoxycholic acid bis thiocarbazone derivatives promoted by microwave irradiation and evaluation of their antibacterial activity

Eleven new non-symmetric chenodeoxycholic acid bis thiocarbazones were efficiently synthesized via the condensation of steroidal diketones (methyl (5β)-3,7-dioxocholan-24-oate) and substituted benzaldehyde thiocarbohydrazones by means of microwave irradiation. Compared with the conventional heating method, the yields were increased from 31–58% to 80–89% and the reaction times were reduced from 420–520 min to 5.0–7.5 min. The structures of these novel compounds were characterized by spectral data and elemental analysis. Four compounds (7a, 7c, 7f and 7g) possess excellent activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.