New Sesquiterpenoids from Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa

Two new sesquiterpenoids, castanin A (= 4R*,5R*,5aS*,8S*,8aR*,8bR*)‐8‐formyl‐4,5,5a,6,7,8,8a,8b‐octahydro‐5,8b‐dihydroxy‐3,5a,8‐trimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2H‐indeno[4,5‐b]furan‐4‐yl acetate; 1 ) and castanin B (= 1aS*,6R*,6aS*,7aR*,9aR*)‐1a,2,6,6a,7a,8,9,9a‐octahydro‐1a,5,7a‐trimethylbisoxireno[4,5 : 8,9]cyclodeca[1,2‐b]furan‐6‐yl acetate; 2 ) were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa, together with two known compounds, oplophanone and 1β,6α‐dihydroxyeudesm‐4(14)‐ene. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and, in the case of 2 , also by X‐ray crystallography. Castanin A ( 1 ) represents a novel sesquiterpenoid, with a contracted ring A, derived from eudesmanolide. A possible biogenetic pathway is proposed.     

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.     

Studies on ketene and its derivatives. CXI . Photoreaction of diketene with 2(1H)-quinolone derivatives

Photoreaction of diketene with 4-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone and 1,4-dimethyl-2(1H)-quinolone gave 2R*,2aR*,SbR*- and 2R*,2aS*8bS*-8b-methyl-3-oxo-1,2,2a,3,4,8b-hexahydrocyclobuta[c]quinoline-2-spiro-2′-(oxetan)-4′-one ( 6a and 6b ), and their 4-methyl derivatives 7a and 7b , respectively. Thermolysis of compounds 6 and 7 afforded 2aR*,8bS*-8b-methyl-2-methylene-3-oxo-1,2,2a,3,4,8b-hexahydrocyclobuta[c]quinoline ( 8 ) and its 4-methyl derivatives 9 , respectively. Similarly, photolysis of diketene and 4-acetoxy-2(1H)-quinolone gave 1R*,2aS*,8bS*- and 1R*,2aR*,8bR*-8b-acetoxy-3-oxo-1,2,2a,3,4,8b-hexahydrocyclobuta[c]-quinoline ( 11a and 11b ). Alcoholysis of compounds 11a and 11b with hydrogen chloride in methanol gave 1-hydroxy-1-(methoxycarbonyl)methylcyclobuta[c]quinoline derivative 12 and 13 which were transformed to 4-acetyl-3-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone ( 15 ) by further alcoholysis. Photoreaction of diketene with 2(1H)-quinolone derivatives gave the corresponding cyclobuta[c]quinoline spirooxetanone derivatives 18 and 23 , which, by thermolysis, were transformed to 2-methylenecyclobuta[c]quinoline 23 and 25 , respectively.     

A Novel Dimeric Podophyllotoxin‐Type Lignan and a New Withanolide from Withania coagulans

A novel dimeric lignan, bispicropodophyllin glucoside ( 1 ) and a highly oxygenated new withanolide, coagulin S ( 2 ) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Withania coagulans. The structures were established on the basis of the spectroscopic data and have been identified as (5S*,5aR*,8aR*,9S*,15S*,15aS*,18aS*,19S*)‐9,19‐di‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐5,8a,9,15,15a,18,18a,19‐octahydro‐5,15‐bis(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)bis([1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:6,7]naphtho)[2,3‐c:2,3‐h][1,6]dioxecin‐6,16(5aH,8H)‐dione ( 1 ) and (20S*,22R*)‐5α,6β,14α,15α,17β,20,27‐heptahydroxy‐1‐oxowith‐24‐enolide ( 2 ), respectively.     

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.     

New Monoterpene-Substituted Dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum

Five New unusual monoterpene-substituted dihydrochalcones, the adunctins A–E (1″S)-1-{2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-6′-[4″-methyl-1″-(1?-methylethyl)cyclohex-3″ -en-1″ -yloxy]phenyl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 1 ), (5aR*,8R*,9aR*)-3-phenyl-1-[5′,8′,9′,9′a-tetrahydro-3′-hydroxy-1′-methoxy-8′-(1″-methylethyl)-5′-a-methyldibenzo-[b,d]furan-4′-yl]propan-1-one ( 2 ), (2′R*,4″S*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]-furan-2′(3′H),1″ -cyclohex-2″ -en]-7′-yl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 3 ), (2′R*,4″R*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methylethyl-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]furan-2′(3′H),1″-cyclohex-2″-en]-7′-yl}-3-phenypropan-1-one ( 4 ), and (5′aR*,6′S*, 9′R*,9′aS*)-1-[5′a,6′,7′,8′,9′a-hexahydro-3′,6′-methoxy-6′-methyl-9′-(1″-methylethyl)dibenzo[b,d]-furan-4′-yl]-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 5 ) were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) by preparative liquid chromatography. In addition, (?)-methyllindaretin ( 6 ), trans-phytol, and α-tocopherol ( = vitamin E) were also isolated and identified. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and cytotoxic potentials of the isolates were also investigated.     

Aromastoffe der roten Passionsfrucht. Zwei neue Edulanderivate

Aroma Constituents of the Purple Passion Fruit. Two New Edulan Derivatives The isolation of (2R*, 4S*, 4aS*, 8aS*)-4,4a-epoxy-4,4a-dihydroedulan ( 1 ), and (2R*, 3S*, 8aS*)-3-hydroxyedulan ( 2 ), two new constituents of the purple passion-fruit (Passiflora edulis SIMS ), is reported. Racemic epoxide 1 was synthesized by oxidation of edulan 6 with peracidic acid, and racemate of alcohol 2 was obtained by reduction of ketone 7 , one of the chromic acid oxidation-products of edulan 6 .     

Tautomeric and conformational equilibria of γ-lactones derived from (3,5-dibromo-1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl)acetic acid

Tautomeric transformation of (3,5-dibromo-1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl)acetic acid into previously unknown stereoisomeric γ-lactones, (3aS*,7S*,7aR*)- and (3aS*,7R*,7aR*)-5,7-dibromo-3ahydroxy-3,3a,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-benzofuran-2,6-diones, was revealed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The concentration of the acid tautomer increases as the solvent polarity rises. The ability of the cycloxexene ring in the lactones to undergo inversion in solution is determined by orientation of the bromine atom on C⁷.     

Packing in three cyclooctitol acetates

Three cyclooctitol derivatives, in the form of a tetraacetate, (1S*,2R*,3S*,4S*)‐2,3,4‐triacetoxycyclooctan‐1‐ylmethyl acetate, C₁₇H₂₆O₈, and two regioisomeric acetonide triacetates, (3aS*,4R*,8S*,9S*,9aS*)‐8,9‐diacetoxy‐2,2‐dimethylcyclooctano[d][1,3]dioxan‐4‐ymethyl acetate and (3aS,4R,7S,9R,9aS)‐7,9‐diacetoxy‐2,2‐dimethylcyclooctano[d][1,3]dioxan‐4‐ylmethyl acetate, both C₁₈H₂₈O₈, have been studied. The conformation of the cyclooctane ring in the three compounds is quite close to the boat–chair form of the parent hydrocarbon. Packing is effected through weak C—H...O and van der Waals contacts.     

N-Trifluoroacetyl-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]quinoline ozonides

A three-component condensation of aromatic amine, aldehyde, and cyclopentadiene with subsequent N-trifluoroacetylation leads to 4- and 4,8-substituted N-trifluoroacetyl-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]quinolines. Ozonation of the double bond in the latter produced the corresponding isomeric stable ozonides having (1R*,4S*,5aR*,6S*,11bR*)-configuration and differing in inversion at the carboxamide nitrogen atom.     

Stericaliy Congested Molecules: 2,2′-[(Biaryldiyl)bis(oxy)]bis[1,3,2-oxazaphospholidines]

The original suggestion that a through-space mechanism was operative in the seven-bond J(P, P) coupling constant of 30.3 Hz observed for 3.3′-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2,2′-[3,3′,5,5′-tetrakis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diyl]bis(oxy)}bis[1,3,2-oxazaphospholidine] ( 1a )) was investigated. In the solid-state CP-MAS ³¹PNMR spectrum of 1a , two nonequivalent P -atoms were observed; sufficient resolution could not be obtained to determine whether P, P coupling was present. The preparation and spectral data of the N-methyl analogue 1b and of the acyclic N-isopropyl analogue 6 (Scheme 1) provided evidence that a) the essentially exclusive formation (R*, R*,S*)- 1a in the reaction of the disodium biphenyldiolate 3a with the phosphorochloridite 4a is the result of significant differences in the free energy of activation (ΔG*) for the formation of the various diastereoisomers due to the steric congestion within the molecule and that b) the magnitude of the observed P,P coupling is dependent upon the degree of conformational freedom within the molecule. In the ³¹P-NMR spectrum of the P-sulfide 7 , which was prepared by the reaction of la with sulfur, 2s resonances were observed that strongly suggested that the lone electrons pair on P are involved in the mechanism for the transmission of coupling data. The (4S,5R) -12 and (4R, 5S) -12 of la were prepared in a three-step reaction sequence starting from the corresponding enantiomerically pure norephredine 8 (Scheme 2). Both (4S, 5R)- and (4R, 5S) -12 were obtained as a diastereoisomer mixture that differ by the configuration of the axis of chirality, i.e., (R*R*,R*)- and (R*,S*,R*) -12 were obtained. The major diastereoisomer was obtained upon recrystallization, and the atropisomers were observed to equilibrate in solution by monitoring the H? C(5) resonance in the ¹H-NMR with time (ΔG° = 0.4 kcal/mol; Fig. 2). The process observed corresponds to the restricted rotation about the central single bond of the biphenyl system. The isolation of an atropisomer with only a single ortho substituent on each aryl ring is quite rare. In the ¹³C-NMR spectrum of both (R*,R*,R*)- and (R*,S*,R*) -12 , C(5) is two-bond-coupled to the oxazaphospholidine P-atom (²J(C(5),P((2)) = 8.5 Hz) that is further virtually coupled to the P-atom of the other oxazaphospholidine ring (7J(P(2),P(2′)) = 30 Hz; ⁹J(C(5),P(2′)) = 0 Hz; δ(P(2)) = δ(P(2′)) = 136 ppm. In the ³¹P-NMR spectrum of (R*,R*,S*) -12 , which was prepared from the racemic chloridite (mixture of three diastereoisomers was obtained), a ⁷J(P(2),P(2′) of 36 Hz was observed. These observations provide strong evidence that seven-bond P,P coupling occurs in all three diastereoisomers of 12 . The observed P,P coupling is both independent of the configuration of the chiral axis and the configuration of the asymmetric P-centers. This independence of P,P coupling upon the configuration on P implies also the independence of the observed coupling upon the orientation of the lone-pair of electrons on P provided that the conformations of the diastereoisomers are similar in solution. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex formed from 1a and dichloro(cycloocta-1,5-diene)platinum(II) was obtained and the solid-state structure discussed. The major diastereoisomer of (4S,5R) -12 was used as a chiral ligand in asymmetric hydrosilylation and hydrogenation reactions (Scheme 3).     

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 .     

Diels–Alder adducts of medium-ring carbocyclic dienes prepared by rearrangement of catalytically generated cyclic oxonium ylides

The novel bicyclic and tricyclic systems di­methyl (4aS*,6S*)-6-methoxy-7-oxo-4a,5,6,7,8,9-hexa­hydro-2H-benzo­cyclo­hept­ene-3,4-di­carboxyl­ate, C₁₆H₂₀O₆, (I), di­methyl (4aS*,6R*)-6-methoxy-7-oxo-4a,5,6,7,8,9-hexa­hydro-2H-benzo­cyclo­hept­ene-3,4-di­carboxyl­ate, C₁₆H₂₀O₆, (II), (3aS*,9R*,10aS*,10bR*)-9-methoxy-2-oxa-1,3a,4,6,7,8,9,10,10a,10b-deca­hydro-3H-cyclo­hepta­[e]­indene-1,3,8-trione, C₁₄H₁₆O₅, (III), and (1S*,2R*,9S*,10aR*)-9-methoxy-8-oxo-1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,10a-deca­hydrobenzo­cyclo­octene-1,2-di­carboxyl­ic acid, C₁₅H₂₀O₆, (IV), have been crystallographically characterized, allowing the determination of the relative configuration of the stereogenic centres. The poor quality of the di­carboxyl­ic acid crystals necessitated the use of synchrotron radiation.     

Furopyridines. XVIII. Photocycloaddition of furo[2,3-c]pyridin-7(6H)-one with acrylonitrile

The photocycloaddition of furo[2,3-c]pyridin-7(6H)-one ( 1 ) and its N-mefhyl derivative ( 1-Me ) to acrylonitrile has been studied. The structures of the photoadducts isolated by colum chromatography were determined by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analysis. The cyclo-addition of 1 afforded an adduct 2 at the carbonyl oxygen and 8-cyano-8,9-dihydrofuro[d]azocin-7(6H)-one ( 3 ), and the addition of 1-Me the N-methyl derivative 3-Me of 3 , (9S*)-9-cyano-6-methyl-3a,7a-dihydro-3a,7a-ethanofuro[2,3-c]pyridin-7(6H)-one ( 4 ), (2S*, 2aR*, 7bR*)- ( 5 ) and (1R*, 2aS*, 7bS*)-2-cyano-3-methyl-4-oxo-1,2,2a,3,4,7b-hexahydrocyclobuta[e]furo[2,3-c]pyridine ( 6 ).     

New Dolabellane Derivatives from the Brown Alga Dictyota pardalis

Reinvestigation of the brown alga Dictyota pardalis f. pseudohamata CRIBB led to the crystallization of 1 and to the isolation of the two new dolabellane derivatives 2 and 3 . X-Ray analysis of 1 and 2 , together with detailed 1D-and 2D-NMR studies on 2 and 3 , allowed their structures to be elucidated as (1R*,3S*,7S*,11R*,4Z)-dolabella-4,8(17), 12(18)-triene-3,7-diol ( 1 ), (1R*,3S*,4S*,7S*,8S*,11R*,14R*,12E)-3,4:7,8-diepoxydolabe11-12-ene-14, 18-diol ( 2 ), and (1R*,3S*,4S*,7S*,8S*,11R*,14R*)-3,4:7,8-diepoxy-l,4,8,12,12-pentamethylbicyclo[9. 3. 0]tetra-decan-14-ol( 3 ).     

Regioselectivity in the formation of norbornene-fused pyrazoles: preparation of 1-substituted derivatives of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoindazole

The structural characteristics of (±)-(exo,exo)-3-(hydroxymethylene)-5,6-(isopropylidenedioxy)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one make the reactions between this β-diketone and hydrazines particularly interesting for elucidating the mechanism of pyrazole formation. The isolation and X-ray structure determination of two 5-hydroxy substituted Δ²-pyrazolines [(±)-(3aR*,4R*,5R*,6S*,7R*,7aR*)-7a-hydroxy-5,6-(isopropylidenedioxy)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indazole] and [(±)-(3aS*,4R*,5R*,6S*,7R*,7aR*)-7a-hydroxy-5,6-(isopropylidene-dioxy)-1-phenyl-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexa-hydro-4,7-methano-1H-indazole] has been determinant for proposing a mechanism. Besides B3LYP/6-31G* calculations have been carried out on all intermediate dihydroxypyrazolidines and 5-hydroxypyrazolines. Finally, the annular tautomerism of the NH-methanotetrahydroindazoles has been studied both experimentally (¹³C NMR) and theoretically: the Mills-Nixon effect favours the 2H-tautomer.     

Coralloidolide F,the First Example of a 2,6-Cyclized Cembranolide: Isolation from the Mediterranean Alcyonacean Coral Alcyonium coralloides

The Mediterranean alcyonacean Alcyonium ( = Parerythropodium) coralloides (Pallas, 1766) is shown here to contain coralloidolide F ( = (+)-(3a-R*, 7R*, 8R*, 9R*, 12R*, 12aS*)-8,9-epoxy-1,3a,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a-decahydro-3a-hydroxy-12-isopropenyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-oxocyclopfintacycloundecene-9,7-carbolactone; (+)- 2 ), the first example of a 2,6-cyclized cembranolide. Structural assignments are mainly based on ID and 2D NMR and MS data.     

Modulating the preferred O—H...O hydrogen‐bonding motif in a conformationally constrained environment through hydroxy‐group derivatization

The crystal structures of three conformationally locked esters, namely the centrosymmetric tetrabenzoate of all‐axial perhydronaphthalene‐2,3,4a,6,7,8a‐hexaol, viz.trans‐4a,8a‐dihydroxyperhydronaphthalene‐2,3,6,7‐tetrayl tetrabenzoate, C₃₈H₃₄O₁₀, and the diacetate and dibenzoate of all‐axial perhydronaphthalene‐2,3,4a,8a‐tetraol, viz. (2R*,3R*,4aS*,8aS*)‐4a,8a‐dihydroxyperhydronaphthalene‐2,3‐diyl diacetate, C₁₄H₂₂O₆, and (2R*,3R*,4aS*,8aS*)‐4a,8a‐dihydroxyperhydronaphthalene‐2,3‐diyl dibenzoate, C₂₄H₂₆O₆, have been analyzed in order to examine the preference of their supramolecular assemblies towards competing inter‐ and intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds. It was anticipated that the supramolecular assembly of the esters under study would adopt two principal hydrogen‐bonding modes, namely one that employs intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds (mode 1) and another that sacrifices those for intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds and settles for a crystal packing dictated by weak intermolecular interactions alone (mode 2). Thus, while the molecular assembly of the two crystalline diacyl derivatives conformed to a combination of hydrogen‐bonding modes 1 and 2, the crystal packing in the tetrabenzoate preferred to follow mode 2 exclusively.     

Coralloidin C,D, and E: Novel Eudesmane Sesquiterpenoids from the Mediterranean Alcyonacean Alcyonium coralloides

The Mediterranean alcyonacean Alcyonium (=Parerythropodium) coralloides (Pallas, 1766) is shown to contain the novel eudesmane sesquiterpenoids coralloidin C (=(–)?(4R,10S)-eudesma-5,7(11)-dien-15-yl acetate; (–)? 4 ), coralloidin D (=(–)?(10R*)-eudesma-4,7(11)-diene-12,13-diyl diacetate; (–)? 7 ), and coralloidin E (=(+)?(4R*,10R*)-eudesma-5,7-dien-11-ol;(+)? 8 ). The absolute configuration of (–)? 4 is derived by the exciton-coupling method, applied to deacetylcoralloidin C_p-anisate ((–)? 6 ). Coralloidin E((+)? 8 ), being also obtained on treatment of deacetylcoralloidin A (=(+)?(4R*, 8R*, 10R*)-eudesma-5,7(11)-dien-8-ol; (+)? 2 ) with (COCl)₂ in DMSO, is configurationally correlated to coralloidin A (=(+)?(4R*, 8R*, 10R*)-eudesma-5,7(11)-dien-8-yl acetate; (+)? 1 ). Under acidic conditions, (+)? 2 undergoes a complex rearrangement giving (+)-(3R*, 4S*, 5R*, 6R*, 7S*)-arist-10-(1)-en -3-ol ((+)? 9 ), which is also obtained, together with (+)? 8 , on attempts to mesylate (+)? 2 .     

Coralloidolide A and Coralloidolide B,the First Cembranoids from a Mediterranean Organism,the Alcyonacean Alcyonium coralloides

The alcyonacean Alcyonium ( = Parerythropodium) coralloides (PALLAS 1766) is the first Mediterranean organism shown to contain cembranoids. These are of unusual type like coralloidolide A ( = (?)-(1R*, 2R*, 3R*, 12S*, 5Z, 7Z, 9Z)-1, 2:7, 10-diepoxy-12-isopropenyl-5, 9-dimethylcyclotetradeca-5, 7, 9-triene-1, 3-carbolactone; (?)-6) and coralloidolide B ( =(?)-(1R*,2S*,3R*,7S*,10S*,12S*,5Z,8Z,)-2, 7:7, 10-diepoxy-1, 10-dihydroxy-12-isopropenyl-5, 9-dimethylcyclotetradeca-5,8-diene-1,3-carbolactone; (?)-8). Structural assignments are mainly based on 1D- and 2D-NMR data and on chemical transformations.