Isolation of Toxic and Potentially Toxic Sesqui- and Monoterpenes from the Tropical Green Seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia Which Has Invaded the Region of Cap Martin and Monaco

The green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia (VAHL ) C. AGARDH (Caulerpales), which, after its recent accidental introduction, is growing in the region of Cap Martin much more vigorously than in the tropics, is shown to contain the known sesquiterpenic toxins caulerpenyne ( 1 ) – in larger amounts than in tropical Caulerpales – and oxytoxin 1 ( 2 ). Novel, potentially toxic products isolated in small amounts from this seaweed include the sesquiterpenes taxifolial A ( = (5E)-6,10-dimethyl-2-[(E)2-oxoethylidene]undeca-5,9-dien-7- yne-1,3-diyl diacetate; 3 ), taxifolial B (= (1E,6E,10E)-3-[( Z )-acetoxymethylidene]-7, 11-dimethyl-12-oxododeca-1,6,10-trien-8-yne-1,4-diyl diacetate; 4 ), 10,11-epoxycaulerpenyne ( = (1E,6E)-3-[(Z)-acetoxymethylidene]-10,11-epoxy-7, 11-dimethyldodeca-1,6-dien-8-yne-1,4-diyl diacetate; 1:1 diastereoisomer mixture; 5 ), and taxifolial C ( = (2Z,6E)-3-formyl-7,11-dimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trien-8-yne-1,1, 4-triyl triacetate; 6 ), besides, as the first example of a monoterpene from the Caulerpales, taxifolial D ( = (2Z)-3,7-dimethylocta-2, 6-dien-4-ynal; 7 ).     

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 .     

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.     

Trennung und absolute Konfiguration der C(8)-epimeren (all-E)-Neochrome (Trollichrome) und -Dinochrome

Separation and Absolute Configuration of the C(8)-Epimeric (app-E)-Neochromes (Trollichromes) and -Dinochromes The C(8′)-epimers of (all-E)-neochrome were separated by HPLC and carefully characterized. The faster eluted isomer, m.p. 197.8–198.3°, is shown to have structure 3 ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-dodehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). To the other isomer, m.p. 195-195.5°, we assign structure 6 , ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-didehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). The already known epimeric dinochromes (= 3-O-acetylneochromes) can now be formulated as 4 and 5 , (‘epimer 1’ and its trimethylsilyl ether) and 7 and 8 , (‘epimer 2’ and its trimethylsilyl ether), respectively.     

Polar Metabolites of the Tropical Green Seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia Which Is Spreading in the Mediterranean Sea: Glycoglycerolipids and Stable Enols (α\=Keto Esters)

Examination of the polar components of the green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl ) C. Agardh , which is heavily spreading in the northeastern Mediterranean, led to two families of compounds. The new (2R)-3-O-β-D -galactopyranosyl-1-O-[(7Z,10Z,13Z)-hexadeca-7,10,13-trienoyl]-2-O-[(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-1,12,15-trienoyl]-sn-glycerol ( 2 ) was isolated in low abundance, like the analogues 1 and 3 already known from freshwater cyanobacteria. The acyl positions in 1 – 3 were determined by enzymatic methods and the absolute configuration from the O-galactosylglycerol obtained upon alcaline methanolysis. More abundant were the (4-hydroxyphenyl)- and (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)pyruvic acid methyl esters, occurring in the enol (Z) forms 13a and 14a accompanied by very minor (E) forms 13b and 14b . The latter became predominant on UV irradiation of 13a or 14a , allowing the determination of the C=C configuration of these isolatable, stable enols from ¹H,¹³C NMR couplings (larger H−C(3)/C(1) coupling constant in the (E) than in the (Z) isomer). Contrary to literature implications, the O-galactosylglycerolipids 1 – 3 lack any cholinergic or histaminergic activity; similarly, enols (= α-keto esters) 13 and 14 or terpenoids of this seaweed were also devoid of such biological activities (see Table).     

Novel cembranolides (Coralloidolide D and E) and a 3,7-Cyclized cembranolide (Coralloidolide C) from the mediterranean coral Alcyonium coralloides

The Mediterranean alcyonacean Alcyonium (= Parerytkropodium) coralhides (PALLAS, 1766) is shown to contain three novel diterpenes which are of biogenetic significance: the 3,7-cyclized cembranoid Coralloidolide C ( = (+)-(6R*, 7R*, 11S*, 12aS* 3aE)-7,8-epoxy-3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a-decahydro-12a-hydroxy-11-isopropenyl-1,4-dimethyl-3-oxocyciopentacydoundecene-8,6-carbolactone; (?)- 3 ), the O-bridged diketonic cembranolide Coralloidolide D (= (+)-(1R*, 2S*, 3R*, 5R*, 12S*, 8Z)-2,5-epoxy-1-hydroxy-12-isopropenyl-5,9-dimethyl-7,10-dioxocyclotetradeca-8-ene-1,3-carbolactone; (+)- 4 ), and the diketonic epoxycembranolide coralloidolide E (=(+)-(1R*, 2R*, 3R*, 12S*, 5Z, 8Z)-1,2-epoxy-12-isopropenyl-5,9-dimethyl-7,10-dioxocyclotetra-deca-5,8-diene-1,3-carbolactone; (+)- 5 ), The latter in pyridine at r. t. undergoes a double bond shift from C(4) = C(5) to C(4) = C(18) to give the isomer (?)- 7 . Structural assignments are mainly based on ID and 2D NMR and MS spectral data. Either corailoidolide A ((?)- 1 ) or the hypothetic unsaturated 1,4-diketone 9 can be envisaged as the precursors of all coralloidolides.     

Synthese von N-Methyl- und N,N-Dimethylmerucathin sowie von N-Methyl- und N,N-Dimethylpseudomerucathin aus L-Alanin

Synthesis of N-Methyl- and N,N-Dimethylmerucathine and of N-Methyl- and N,N--Dimethylpseudomerucathine Starting from L -Alanine Starting form L -alanine, N-methylmerucathine (= (3R,4S)-4-(methylamino)1-phenyl-1-penten-3-ol; (3R,4S,)- 6 ), N,N-dimethylmerucathine (= (3R,4S)-4-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-ol; (3R,4S)- 9 ), N-methylpseudomerucathine (= (3S,4S)-4-(methylamino)-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-01; (3S,4S)-6), and N,N-dimethylpseudomerucathine (= (3S,4S)-4-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-ol; (3S,4S)- 9 ) were synthesized. The four compounds were analyzed by HPLC and compared with a natural khat extract.     

Novel Trinor-eremophilanes (Dendryphiellin B,C, and D), Eremophilanes (Dendryphiellin E,F, and G), and Branched C9-Carboxylic Acids (Dendryphiellic Acid A and B) from the Marine Deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina (SUTHERLAND) PUGHet NICOT

Further investigation of global extracts from cultures of the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina leads to the isolation of three novel trinor-eremophilanes esterified by branched C₉-carboxylic acids, dendryphiellin B (= (+)-(1R*,2S*,7R*,8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*, 2E, 4E)-6-hydroxy-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 2 ), dendryphiellin C (=(+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7R*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexa-hydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6S, 2E, 4E)-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 3 )), and dendryphiellin D (=(+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7R*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7(8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*,2E,4E)-6-(hydroxymethyl)octa-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 4 ). An intact eremophilane, dendryphiellin E ( 5 ), and its ethanolysis product dendryphiellin F whose absolute configuration is represented by structural formula (+)- 6 are also isolated from the above extracts. Dendryphiellin E exists as an open form 5a in equilibrium with a closed form 5b . A similar equilibrium exists between the open form 8a and the closed form 8b of a non-esterified eremophilane, dendryphiellin G ( 8 ), which is isolated too from the above extracts and proves structurally related to the cyclic portion of 5 . Finally, the free, branched C₉-carboxylic acids dendryphiellic acid A ((+)- 9 ) and B ((+)- 10 ) which correspond to side chains of the above esterified terpenes are also isolated from the above extracts.     

Reisolation of Carotenoid 3,6-Epoxides from Red Paprika (Capsicum annuum)

Cucurbitaxanthin A (= (3S,5R,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β- carotene-5,3′-diol; 5 ), cucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′S)-3,6,5′, 6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 6 ), the epimeric cucurbitachromes 1 and 2 (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′S)- and (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-3,6,5′, 8′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol, resp.; 9/10 ), cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6,3′, 6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,κs-carotene-5,5′-diol; 8 ), and capsanthin 3,6-epoxide (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro ?5,3′-dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6′-one; 7 ) were isolated from red spice paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longum) and characterized by their ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, mass, and CD spectra.     

A novel glyceryl ester (glyceryl dendryphiellate A), a trinor-eremophilane (dendryphiellin A1), and eremophilanes (dendryphiellin E1 and E2) from the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina (SUTHERLAND) PUGH et NICOT

Continuing studies of the global extracts from cultures of the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina have led to the isolation of novel compounds that add to the scarce list of marine fungal metabolites. Besides (22E)-ergosta-4.6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one which, though known from basidiomycetes, was unknown in the sea, they are an unusual glyceryl ester, i.e. glycer-1-yl dendryphiellale A (= (+)-(2R)-2,3-dihydroxyprop-l-yl (6S,2E,4E)6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 1 ), a trinor-eremophilane, i.e. dendryphiellin A1 ( = (+)-(3R*,4E,6E)-7-{[(1R*,2S*,7R*,8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2yl]oxycarbonyl}-3-methylhepta-4,6-dienoic acid; (+)- 11 ), and two eremophilanes, i.e. dendryphiellin El ( = (+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7S*,8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-1,8a-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethenyl)-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl(6S,2E,4E)-6-methyl-octa-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 13 ) and dendryphiellin E2 ( = (+)-(1R*, 2S*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-isopropyl-idene-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6S,2E,4E)-6-Methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 14 ). Absolute configurations have been established for (+)- 1 via total synthesis and for the acid portion of (+)- 13 and (+)- 14 via transesterification in NaOMe/MeOH which gave in both cases melhyl dendryphiellate A ((+)- 16 ) of known configuration and the free alcoholic moiety of (+)- 14 , i.e. (+)- 17 .     

Synthesen von enantiomerenreinen Apoviolaxanthin-säuren, -olen und -alen (Persicaxanthin,Sinensiaxanthin und β-Citraurin-epoxid) und ihrer furanoiden Umlagerungsprodukte

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Apoviolaxanthinoic Acids, Apoviolaxanthinols, and Apoviolaxanthinals (Including Persicaxanthin, Sinensiaxanthin, and β-Citraurin Epoxide) and of their Furanoid Rearrangement Products Starting from (1′S,2′R,4′S,2E,4E)-5-(1′,2′-epoxy-4′-hydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexy1)-3-methy1-2,4-pentadienal ( 3 ), a recently described synthon [6], a full range of C₂₀-, C₂₅-, C₂₇-, and C₃₀-polyenic acids, alcohols, and aldehydes and their (8R)- and (8S)-diastereoisomeric furanoid rearrangement products was prepared. The synthetic C₂₅-alcohols proved to be identical with persicaxanthin (= 12′-apoviolaxanthin-12′-ol) and perisicachromes (= 12′-apoauroxanthin-12′-ols) and the C₂₇-alcohols analogously with sinensiaxanthin and sinensiachromes. A correlation between the sign of the Cotton effects in the CD spectra of 5,6-and 5,8-epoxides and their configuration at C(6) and C(8), respectively, was established.     

Novel,racemic or nearly-racemic antibacterial bromo- and chloroquinols and γ-lactams of the verongiaquinol and the cavernicolin type from the marine sponge Aplysina (= Verongia) cavernicola

Butanolic extracts of the Mediterranean sponge Aplysina (= Verongia) cavernicola have given, by reverse-phase HPLC, the antibacterial quinols (±)-3-bromoverongiaquinol (= (±)-3-bromo-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2,5-cyclohexadine-1-acetamide; 1d) and (±)-3-bromo-5-chloroverongiaquinol (= (±)-3-bromo-5-chloro-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2,5-cyclohexadine-1-acetamide; 1c ) besides the products of their formal cyclization 5-chlorohexadiene-1-acetamide; 1c ) besides the products of their formal cyclization 5-chlorocavernicolin (= 5-cloro-3,3a,7,7aβ-tetrahydro-3aβ-hydroxy-2,6(1H)-indoledione; 6) , the C(7)-epimerizing 7β-bromo-5-chlorocavernicolin (=7 β-bromo-5-chloro-3,3a,7,7aβ-tetrahydro-3aβ-hydroxy-2,6(1H)-indoledione; 4a and 7α-bromo-5-chlorocavernicolin (4b) , and the C(7)-epimerizing 5-bromo-7β-chlorocavernicolin ( = 5-bromo-7β-chloro-3,3a,7,7aβ-tetrahydro-3aβ-hydroxy-2,6(1H)-indoledione; 5a) and 5-bromo-7α-chlorocavernicolin (5b) . The latter four were isolated as mixtures of C(7)-epimerizing monoacetates 4a′/4b′ and 5a′/5b′. Both 1 and 1c proved to be racemic from NMR examination of their esterification products with (–)-methyl-oxyacetic acid, whilst 6 had a ca. 6% enantiomeric purity as shown by a ¹H-NMR study of its monoacetate 6′ in the presence of a chiral shift reagent. These chiroptical data of the first chiral quinols from the Verongida and of 6 suggest phenol oxidative routes from tyrosine precursors for their formation. In view of their bioactivities, 1d and 1c have been synthesized from (p-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid byt phenol oxidative routes.     

Epoxidierung von Cucurbitaxanthin A: Herstellung von Cucurbitaxanthin B und seines 5′,6′-Epimeren

Epoxidation of Cucurbitaxanthin A: Preparation of Cucurbitaxanthin B and of Its 5′,6′-Epimer Cucurbitaxanthin A (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 1 ) isolated from red pepper (Capsicum annuum var. longum nigrum) was trimethylsiylated and then epoxidized with monoperphthalic acid. After deprotection and chromatographic separation, cucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R, 3′S,5′R,6′S)-3,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 2 ) and 5′,6′-diepicucurbitaxanthin B (= (3S,5R,6R, 3′S,5′S,6′R)-3,6:5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 5 ) were obtained and carefully characterized. They show mirror-like CD spectra and, therefore, emphasize the importance of the torsion angle of C(6)–C(7) on the electronic interaction between the polyene chain and the chiral end group.     

Beitrag zur Analytik und Synthese von 3-Hydroxy-4-oxocarotinoiden

Contribution to the Analytical Separation and the Synthesis of 3-Hydroxy-4-oxocarotenoids (3RS,3′RS)-Astaxanthin (= 3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione, 1:1-mixture of racemate and meso-form; 1 ) can be separated into its optical isomers (3S,3′S)- 1a , (3R,3′R)- 1b and meso-(3R,3′S)- 1c via the corresponding diastereomeric di-(?)-camphanates. Some aspects of the configurational stability of astaxanthin are discussed. - HPLC. analysis of the (?)-camphanates of 3-hydroxy-4-oxocarotenoids provides, in suitable cases and supported by spectroscopic data, an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of constitution and chirality.     

Enantio and diastereoselective total synthesis of all four stereoisomers of germicidin N

Abstract

Germicidin N (3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-6-[(1S, 2?R)?2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl]-2H-pyran-2-one, 1), a new α-pyrone from the extracts of a Streptomyces sp. derived from marine algae, has been synthesized for the first time as four possible diastereomers from chiral β-hydroxyester ((S)?6 and (R)?9) through the stereoselective alkylation, Claisen condensation followed by cyclization in a straightforward manner.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus Oxo-isophoron. I. Modifizierung der Kienzle-Mayer-Synthese von (3S 3′S)-Astaxanthin

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. I. Modification of the Kienzle-Mayer-Synthesis of (3S, 3′S)-Astaxanthin An efficient synthesis of (3S, 3′S)-astaxanthin ( 1a ) in high yield and optical purity starting from (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone ( 4 ) is reported. The absolute configuration of 1a , previously derived from ORD. data, has been confirmed by X-ray analysis of 5 , a derivative of 6-oxo-isophorone ( 2 ). The key features of the improved synthesis are the two-step conversion of 4 to the key intermediate (4S)-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one ( 14 ), a new method for the partial reduction of the sterically hindered triple bond of (S)-6-hydroxy-3-(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-penten-1-ynyl)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one ( 32 ), and Wittig olefination of the dialdehyde 1,6-dimethyl-1,3,5-octatrienedial ( 38 ) using phosphonium salt 37 with a free hydroxyl group.     

Proof of the Absolute Configuration of (−)-(S)-2-Hydroxy-β-ionone by correlation with ursolic acid and with (−)-trans-verbenol

(?)-(S)-2-Hydroxy-β-ionone ( 33 ), (+)-(2 S, 6 S)-2-hydroxy-α-ionone ( 34 ), and their acetates 35 and 36 have been synthesized from (+)-(S)-6-methylbicyclo [4.3.0]-non-1-ene-3, 7-dione ( 3 ). The key intermediate (+)-(1 R, 3 S, 6 S)-2, 2, 6-trimethyl-7-oxobicyclo [4.3.0]non-3-yl acetate ( 7 ) was correlated with a degradation product of the pentacyclic triterpene ursolic acid ( 16 ). Compound 33 was also synthesized by an alternative route starting from (?)-trans-verbenol ( 42 ).     

Dendryphiellin A,the First Fungal Trinor-eremophilane. Isolation from the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina (SUTHERLAND) PUGHet NICOT

The novel metabolite dendryphiellin A ( = (+)-(1R,2S,8aR)- 1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*, 2E,4E)-8-hydroxy-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 1 ) is isolated from cultures of the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina. There is no precedent in fungi for trinor-eremophilanes or for branched C₉ carboxylic acids, the two classes of compounds constituting (+)-1. The structure is secured by NMR spectroscopy and hydrolysis of (+)-1 to give the side-chain moiety ((6R*,2E,4E)-8-hydroxy-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoic acid ( 2 )) intact, whilst the trinor-ermophilane moiety is decomposed. The absolute configuration at the trinor-eremophilane moiety is established from exciton coupling between the dienone and the diene-ester functions.     

A contribution to the asymmetric synthesis of isoquinolines: Concise stereoselective approach to (3S,4S)-6,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

A highly efficient stereoselective synthesis of (3S,4S)-6,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 8 (e.e.=96%) starting from enantiomerically pure imine 3 is reported.     

Total Asymmetric Synthesis of Doubly Branched Carba-hexopyranoses and Amino Derivatives Starting from the Diels-Alder Adducts of Maleic Anhydride to Furfuryl Esters

The Diels-Alder adducts of maleic anhydride to furfuryl esters were reduced into 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-1,2-exo,3-exo-trimethanol (±)- 15 and enantiomerically pure (−)- 15 (Scheme 1). The tripivalate of (±)- 15 was converted into (1RS,2RS,3RS,4RS,5SR,6SR)-1,5,6-tris(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane-1,2,3,4-tetrol ((±)- 23 ; Scheme 2). Reaction of BBr₃ with the triacetate (±)- 30 of (±)- 15 gave (1RS,2RS,5RS,6RS)-5-bromo-6-hydroxycyclohex-3-ene-1,2,3-trimethyl triacetate ((±)- 31 ) at −78°, and (1RS,2RS,5SR,8SR)-2-endo-hydroxy-6-oxabicylo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene-5,8-dimethyl diacetate ((±)- 32 ) at 0° (Scheme 3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of (1RS,2RS,5SR,8SR)-2-acetoxy-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene-5,8-dimethyl diacetate ((±)- 33 ) was carried out. Displacement of bromide (+)- 31 (derived from (−)- 15 ) with azide anion gave (+)- 38 which was transformed into (+)-(1R,2R,5S,6S)-5-amino-6-hydroxycyclohex-3-ene-1,2,3-trimethanol ((+)- 40 ) (Scheme 4). Reaction of (±)- 31 with BBr₃ at 0°, followed by azide disubstitution led to (1RS,2RS,5SR,6SR)-5-amino-3-(aminomethyl)-6-hydroxycyclohex-3-ene-1,2-dimethanol ((±)- 45 ). Dihydroxylation of (±)- 38 and further transformations gave (1RS,2RS,3SR,4RS,5SR,6RS)-5-amino-1,4,6-trihydroxycyclohexane-1,2,3-trimethanol ((±)- 49 ) and (1RS,2RS,3SR,4RS,5SR,6RS)-2,3-dihydroxy-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-2,3,4-trimethanol ((±)- 55 ) (Schemes 5 and 6). Expoxidation of the 4-nitrobenzoate (±)- 61 of (±)- 38 allowed the preparation of (1RS,2RS,3SR,4RS,5RS)-5-amino-1,4-dihydroxycyclohexane-1,2,3-trimethanol ((±)- 65 ) and of (1RS,2RS,3SR,4RS,5SR,6RS)-5-amino-4-hydroxy-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-1,2,3-trimethanol ((±)- 67 ) (Scheme 7). The new unprotected polyols and aminopolyols were tested for their inhibitory activity toward commercially available glycohydrolases. At 1 mM concentration, 34, 30, and 31% inhibition of β-galactosidase from bovine liver was observed for (+)- 40 , (±)- 65 , and (±)- 67 , respectively.