A synthesis of the tetracyclic carboskeleton of isaindigotidione

An efficient synthesis of the unique indolizino[7,6-c]quinoline carboskeleton of isaindigotidione has been achieved. This strategy employed l-proline and isatin as the main building blocks in the construction of the framework. Four transformations occurred in a one-pot operation to furnish the tetracyclic nucleus.     

A short synthesis of koniamborine, a naturally occurring pyrano[3,2-b]indole

An expedient synthesis of the alkaloid koniamborine, the only to date isolated naturally occurring pyrano[3,2-b]indole is presented. The key pyrano[3,2-b]indole forming step is a palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heteroannulation of 2-(4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)-(4H)-pyrane-4-one.     

Calycilactone A, a novel hexacyclic alkaloid from Daphniphyllum calycillum

A novel Daphniphyllum alkaloid with a rearranged fused-hexacyclic ring system, calycilactone A, was isolated from the leaves of Daphniphyllum calycillum (Daphniphyllaceae), and the structure and relative stereochemistry of the new compound were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

A density functional study on the formation of charge transfer complexes between alkaloids and iodine monochloride

The formation of charge-transfer (CT) complexes between N-methyl-6,7-methylenedioxy-tetrahydro-4-isoquinolone (MMDTIQ, the model molecule of alkaloids) and iodine monochloride has been studied with the density functional B3LYP method. The competition for ICl between n-donor(s) and π-donor in the same molecule has been compared for the first time. The results indicate that the electron-donating ability of various donor sites decreases in the following order: amino nitrogen>carbonyl oxygen>etheric oxygen≈aromatic ring. Complexes with a stoichiometry of 1:1 to 1:5 (MMDTIQ–ICl) might form. Among complexes with a given stoichiometry, the one in which the phenyl ring is involved in the binding is always the least stable. According to these results, in order to ensure an alkaloid iodinated, the amount of ICl should be far beyond that of alkaloids and a low polar solvent should be used, which is quite in agreement with our recent experimental results.     

Daphniglaucins D-H, J, and K, new alkaloids from Daphniphyllum glaucescens

Five new fused-hexacyclic alkaloids, daphniglaucins D (1), E (2), F (3), G (4), and H (5), and two new yuzurimine-type alkaloids, daphniglaucins J (6) and K (7), have been isolated from the leaves of Daphniphyllum glaucescens, and the structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical means.     

New chiral porphyrin-brucine gelator characterized by methods of circular dichroism

Herein, we report the first use of chiral alkaloid brucine to synthesize novel porphyrin-brucine conjugate capable of acting as a gelator of methanol and acetonitrile at extremely low level of concentration. The synthesis, characterization and spectral properties of gelator based on a novel structural motif, quaternized alkaloid conjugates, are described. Different spectroscopic methods (¹H NMR spectroscopy, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, and spectroscopy of electronic and vibrational circular dichroism) were used for characterization of the prepared organogel. The aggregation of the gelator studied by UV-vis spectroscopy and electronic circular dichroism showed the formation of chiral J-aggregates in water and water-methanol (1:1) mixture. A new methodology for the determination of functional groups involved in gel formation based on vibrational circular dichroism is presented.     

A new veratramine alkaloid from the bulbs of Fritillaria hupehensis

A new highly conjugated alkaloid of veratramine type, 225,25S,5α-veratramine-7(8),12(14)-diene-3β,13β,23β-triol-6-one (1), was isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C. Hsia. Its structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidences.     

Two new tryptamine-derived alkaloids from Chimonanthus praecox f. concolor

A new pyrrolidinoindoline-type alkaloid, CPC-1, and a new tryptamine-derived dimeric alkaloid, CPC-2, were isolated from the seeds and rinds of Chimonanthus praecox f. concolor. The structure including the absolute configuration of CPC-1 was determined by chiral total synthesis. CPC-2 has a unique hexahydropyrroloquinoline skeleton.     

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of epimeric alkaloid N-oxides from Thalictrum simplex L.

A simple and precise method was developed for the analytical and preparative reversed-phase HPLC separation of a mixture of epimeric pavine N-oxides containing 49.1% of (−)-thalimonine N-oxide A and 50.1% of (−)-thalimonine N-oxide B isolated from Thalictrum simplex L. (Ranunculaceae). A reversed-phase system with Nucleosil C₁₈ analytical and preparative columns and ethanol-1.5% aqueous orthophosphoric acid (15:85) as the mobile phase was used. The epimeric pavine N-oxides were completely separated within 50 min.     

Synthesis of cananodine by intramolecular epoxide opening

Cananodine is a guaipyridine alkaloid with activity against liver cancer. Cananodine was synthesized using a remarkable intramolecular opening of a trisubstituted epoxide as the key step in construction of the seven-membered carbocycle of the target. The epoxide opening strategy allows all four stereoisomers of cananodine to be prepared.