Conformation of 17‐chloro‐16‐formylandrosta‐5,16‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate and 17‐chloroandrosta‐5,16‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate

In the title compounds, C₂₂H₂₉ClO₃, (I), and C₂₁H₂₉ClO₂, (II), respectively, the B rings adopt a half‐chair conformation and the D rings adopt an envelope conformation. A twist of the steroid skeleton of both compounds is observed. There is a positional disorder of the acetoxy group of (II), with the terminal atoms disordered over two positions with near equal occupancy. Quantum‐mechanical ab initio calculations using a molecular orbital Hartree–Fock method were performed for the isolated molecules, thus allowing the distinction within the structural features of these two androstane derivatives of which characteristics are intrinsic to the molecules and which are due to packing effects. The skeletal twisting was found to be innate to the molecules, while the acetoxy disorder is due to packing effects.     

Oleana‐12(13),15(16)‐diene‐3α,28‐diyl di­acetate

The title compound, C₃₄H₅₂O₄, consists of five six‐membered rings. Barring the two rings, with double bonds, all other rings are in chair conformations. Mean‐plane and ring‐puckering calculations indicate these two rings to be in distorted‐chair conformations, with distortion towards the boat conformation. There are no strong hydrogen bonds and the structure is stabilized by van der Waals interactions only. The structure is compared with those reported for other triterpenes.     

24(R)‐Acetyl­oxy‐1α,2α‐epoxy­cholesta‐4,6‐dien‐3‐one hydrate

In the title compound, C₂₉H₄₂O₄·H₂O, cyclo­hexane rings A and B are in the sofa conformation, ring C is in a chair conformation and the five‐membered ring D is in an envelope conformation. The structure is stabilized by inter‐ and intramolecular C—H?O and O—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

20‐Hydroxy­imino‐5α‐pregna‐9(11),16‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate and 17‐oxo‐5α‐androst‐9(11)‐en‐3β‐yl acetate

In the title compounds, C₂₃H₃₃NO₃ and C₂₁H₃₀O₃, respectively, the ester linkage in ring A is equatorial. In these steroids, the six‐membered rings A and B have chair conformations, but ring C can be better described as a half‐chair. The five‐membered ring D adopts a 14α‐envelop conformation. The A/B, B/C and C/D ring junctions are trans.     

(2S,RS)‐6‐Phenyl‐1‐(p‐tolyl­sulfinyl)­hexa‐3(E),5(E)‐dien‐2‐ol

The mol­ecule of the title compound, C₁₉H₂₀O₂S, corresponds to a chiral sulfinyldienol with two stereogenic centres, viz. the C atom susbtituted by the hydr­oxy group and the sulfinyl S atom. The mol­ecule displays a V‐shape in the solid state. The dihedral angle defined by the least‐squares planes of the aromatic rings is 72.9 (1)°. The packing pattern exhibits the following inter­molecular hydrogen bonds: one O—H⋯O [H⋯O = 1.98 Å, O⋯O = 2.785 (4) Å and O—H⋯O = 166°] and two C—H⋯O [H⋯O = 2.58 and 2.60 Å, C⋯O = 3.527 (5) and 3.347 (5) Å, and C—H⋯O = 164 and 134°]. These define a chain along b.     

Studies of Interaction between Ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one (Ergone) and Human Serum Albumin by Molecular Spectroscopy and Modeling

Our previous experimental results have shown that ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one (ergone) is one of the main bioactive components of Polyporus umbellatus. The efficacy of ergone binding to human serum albumin (HSA) is critical for pharmacokinetic behavior of ergone. The interactions between ergone and HSA under simulative physiological conditions were investigated by the methods of fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Fluorescence data revealed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by ergone was the result of the formation of the ergone‐HSA complex. According to the modified Stern‐Volmer equation, the binding constants (K_a) between ergone and HSA were determined. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) for the reaction were calculated to be 0.989 kJ mol^‐1 and 11.214 J mol^‐1 K^‐1, indicating that the hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions played a dominant role in the binding of ergone to HSA. The conformational investigation showed that the presence of ergone decreased the α‐helical content of HSA and induced the slight unfolding of the polypeptides of protein. Furthermore, displacement experiments using warfarin and ibuprofen indicated that ergone could bind to site I of HSA, which was also in agreement with the results of the molecular modeling.     

4‐Ethynyl‐4‐hydroxycyclohexan‐1‐one and 4‐ethynyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2,3,5,6‐tetramethylcyclohexa‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one

The title compounds, C₈H₁₀O₂, (I), and C₁₂H₁₄O₂, (II), occurred as by‐products in the controlled synthesis of a series of bis­(gem‐alkynols), prepared as part of an extensive study of synthon formation in simple gem‐alkynol derivatives. The two 4‐(gem‐alkynol)‐1‐ones crystallize in space group P2₁/c, (I) with Z′ = 1 and (II) with Z′ = 2. Both structures are dominated by O—H?O=C hydrogen bonds, which form simple chains in the cyclo­hexane derivative, (I), and centrosymmetric dimers, of both symmetry‐independent mol­ecules, in the cyclo­hexa‐2,5‐diene, (II). These strong synthons are further stabilized by C[triple‐bond]C—H?O=C, C_methylene—H?O(H) and C_methyl—H?O(H) interactions. The direct intermolecular interactions between donors and acceptors in the gem‐alkynol group, which characterize the bis­(gem‐alkynol) analogues of (I) and (II), are not present in the ketone derivatives studied here.     

Quantitative HPLC method and pharmacokinetic studies of ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one,a natural product with diuretic activity from Polyporus umbellatus

A simple and specific HPLC method with dual wavelength UV detection for the determination of ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one (ergone) in rat plasma was developed and proved to be efficient. The method used ergosterol as internal standard (IS). Following a single‐step protein precipitation, the analyte and IS were separated on an Inertsil ODS‐3 column with a mobile phase containing methanol–water (99:1, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The analytes were detected by using UV detection at wavelength of 350 (ergone) and 283 (IS) nm, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.1–2.0 µg/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 0.1 µg/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision studies showed good reproducibility with RSD less than 8.5%. The intra‐day and inter‐day accuracy ranged from 95.6 to 104%. Mean extraction recovery was above 95% at the low, medium and high concentrations. The present HPLC‐UV method was simple and reliable. The method described herein had been successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic studies in male SD rats after administration of 20 mg/kg dose of solution of ergone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Confirmation of the Absolute (3R,3′S,6′R)‐Configuration of (all‐E)‐3′‐Epilutein

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was used to distinguish between the isomeric (all‐E)‐configured 3′‐epilutein ( 2 ) and 6′‐epilutein ( 8 ) to establish the absolute configuration of epilutein samples of different (natural and semisynthetic) origin, including samples of 2 obtained from thermally processed sorrel. Thus, the CD data of lutein ( 1 ) and epilutein samples ( 2 ) were compared. Our results unambiguously confirmed the (3R,3′S,6′R)‐configuration of all epilutein samples. Compound 2 was thoroughly characterized, and its ¹³C‐NMR data are published herewith for the first time.     

2, 4‐Dimethylpenta‐1, 3‐dien‐ und 2, 4‐Dimethylpentadienyl‐Komplexe des Rhodiums und Iridiums

2, 4‐Dimethylpenta‐1, 3‐diene and 2, 4‐Dimethylpentadienyl Complexes of Rhodium and Iridium The complexes [(η⁴‐C₇H₁₂)RhCl]₂ ( 1 ) (C₇H₁₂ = 2, 4‐dimethylpenta‐1, 3‐diene) and [(η⁴‐C₇H₁₂)₂IrCl] ( 2 ) were obtained by interaction of C₇H₁₂ with [(η²‐C₂H₄)₂RhCl]₂ and [(η²‐cyclooctene)₂IrCl]₂, respectively. The reaction of 1 or 2 with CpTl (Cp = η⁵‐C₅H₅) yields the compounds [CpM(η⁴‐C₇H₁₂)] ( 3a : M = Rh; 3b : M = Ir). The hydride abstraction at the pentadiene ligand of 3a , b with Ph₃CBF₄ proceeds differently depending on the solvent. In acetone or THF the “half‐open” metallocenium complexes [CpM(η⁵‐C₇H₁₁)]BF₄ ( 4a : M = Rh; 4b : M = Ir) are obtained exclusively. In dichloromethane mixtures are produced which additionally contain the species [(η⁵‐C₇H₁₁)M(η⁵‐C₅H₄CPh₃)]BF₄ ( 5a : M = Rh; 5b : M = Ir) formed by electrophilic substitution at the Cp ring, as well as the η³‐2, 4‐dimethylpentenyl compound [(η³‐C₇H₁₃)Rh{η⁵‐C₅H₃(CPh₃)₂}]BF₄ ( 6 ). By interaction of 2, 4‐dimethylpentadienyl potassium with 1 or 2 the complexes [(η⁴‐C₇H₁₂)M(η⁵‐C₇H₁₁)] ( 7a : M = Rh; 7b : M = Ir) are generated which show dynamic behaviour in solution; however, attempts to synthesize the “open” metallocenium cations [(η⁵‐C₇H₁₁)₂M]⁺ by hydride abstraction from 7a , b failed. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopically, 4b and 5a also by X‐ray structure analysis.     

ss‐NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction in the elucidation of a new polymorph of bischalcone (1E,4E)‐1,5‐bis(4‐fluorophenyl)penta‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one

We report a new polymorph of (1E,4E)‐1,5‐bis(4‐fluorophenyl)penta‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one, C₁₇H₁₂F₂O. Contrary to the precedent literature polymorph with Z′ = 3, our polymorph has one half molecule in the asymmetric unit disordered over two 50% occupancy sites. Each site corresponds to one conformation around the single bond vicinal to the carbonyl group (so‐called anti or syn). The other half of the bischalcone is generated by twofold rotation symmetry, giving rise to two half‐occupied and overlapping molecules presenting both anti and syn conformations in their open chain. Such a disorder allows for distinct patterns of intermolecular C—H…O contacts involving the carbonyl and anti‐oriented β‐C—H groups, which is reflected in three ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for the carbonyl C atom. Here, we have also assessed the cytotoxicity of three symmetric bischalcones through their in vitro antitumour potential against three cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that this biological property increases as halogen electronegativity increases.     

The Structures of Indazolin‐3‐one (=1,2‐Dihydro‐3H‐indazol‐3‐one) and 7‐Nitroindazolin‐3‐one

The existence of polymorphism in parent indazolin‐3‐one (=1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐indazol‐3‐one; 1 ) is reported as well as an X‐ray and NMR CPMAS study establishing that its 7‐nitro derivative 2 exists as the 3‐hydroxy tautomer. Absolute shieldings calculated at the GIAO/B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level were used to determine the tautomeric oxo/hydroxy equilibrium in solution, i.e., always the 1H‐indazol‐3‐ol tautomer predominates.     

Assignment of absolute configuration of 8α‐hydroxy‐13‐hydroperoxylabd‐14,17‐dien‐19,16;23,6α‐diolide by computed NMR chemical shifts

Unassigned configurations of 8α‐hydroxy‐13‐hydroperoxylabd‐14,17‐dien‐19,16;23,6α‐diolide, extracted from Iranian salvia, in the C13 and C16 were assigned as S and R, respectively. Extensive ab initio calculations followed by chemical shift predictions were employed in this assignment. Predicted chemical shifts were correlated to experimental ones in order to find the correct configuration, shown here. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Copper(II) bis(4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐phenylbutane‐1,3‐dionate) complexes with pyridin‐2‐one, 3‐hydroxypyridine and 3‐hydroxypyridin‐2‐one ligands: molecular structures and hydrogen‐bonded networks

Copper(II) bis(4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐phenylbutane‐1,3‐dionate) complexes with pyridin‐2‐one (pyon), 3‐hydroxypyridine (hpy) and 3‐hydroxypyridin‐2‐one (hpyon) were prepared and the solid‐state structures of (pyridin‐2‐one‐κO )bis(4,4,4‐trifluoro‐3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutan‐1‐olato‐κ²O ,O ′)copper(II), [Cu(C₁₀H₆F₃O₂)₂(C₅H₅NO)] or [Cu(tfpb‐κ²O ,O ′)₂(pyon‐κO )], (I), bis(pyridin‐3‐ol‐κO )bis(4,4,4‐trifluoro‐3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutan‐1‐olato‐κ²O ,O ′)copper(II), [Cu(C₁₀H₆F₃O₂)₂(C₅H₅NO)₂] or [Cu(tfpb‐κ²O ,O ′)₂(hpy‐κO )₂], (II), and bis(3‐hydroxypyridin‐2‐one‐κO )bis(4,4,4‐trifluoro‐3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutan‐1‐olato‐κ²O ,O ′)copper(II), [Cu(C₁₀H₆F₃O₂)₂(C₅H₅NO₂)₂] or [Cu(tfpb‐κ²O ,O ′)₂(hpyon‐κO )₂], (III), were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The coordination of the metal centre is square pyramidal and displays a rare example of a mutual cis arrangement of the β‐diketonate ligands in (I) and a trans‐octahedral arrangement in (II) and (III). Complex (II) presents the first crystallographic evidence of κO‐monodentate hpy ligation to the transition metal enabling the pyridine N atom to participate in a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network through O—H…N interactions, forming a graph‐set motif R ₂²(7) through a C—H…O interaction. Complex (III) presents the first crystallographic evidence of monodentate coordination of the neutral hpyon ligand to a metal centre and a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network is formed through N—H…O interactions facilitated by C—H…O interactions, forming the graph‐set motifs R ₂²(8) and R ₂²(7).     

(+)‐(14β)‐14‐Ethylmatridin‐15‐one,a New Quinolizidine Alkaloid from the Poisonous Plant Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge

A new matrine alkaloid derivative (+)‐(14β)‐14‐ethylmatridin‐15‐one ( 1 ) was isolated from the poisonous plant Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge . The structure was established by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.     

Electrospun fiber mats of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate), poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate), and their blends

Electrospinning of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), and their blends was first carried out in chloroform at 50 °C on a stationary collector. The average diameter of the as‐spun fiber from PHB and PHBV solutions decreased with increasing collection distance and increased with increasing solution concentration and applied electrical potential. In all of the spinning conditions investigated, the average diameter of the as‐spun pure fibers ranged between 1.6 and 8.8 μm. Electrospinning of PHB, PHBV, and their blends was carried out further at a fixed solution concentration of 14% w/v on a homemade rotating cylindrical collector. Well‐aligned, cross‐sectionally round fibers without beads were obtained. The average diameter of the as‐spun pure and blend fibers ranged between 2.3 and 4.0 μm. The as‐spun fiber mats appeared to be more hydrophobic than the corresponding films and much improvement in the tensile strength and the elongation at break was observed for the blend fiber mats over those of the pure fiber ones. Lastly, indirect cytotoxicity evaluation of the as‐spun pure and blend fiber mats with mouse fibroblasts (L929) indicated that these mats posed no threat to the cells. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2923–2933, 2006     

Diversification of ortho‐Fused Cycloocta‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one Cores and Eight‐ to Six‐Ring Conversion by σ Bond C−C Cleavage

Sequential treatment of 2‐C₆H₄Br(CHO) with LiC≡CR¹ (R¹=SiMe₃, tBu), nBuLi, CuBr?SMe₂ and HC≡CCHClR² [R²=Ph, 4‐CF₃Ph, 3‐CNPh, 4‐(MeO₂C)Ph] at ?50 °C leads to formation of an intermediate carbanion (Z)‐1,2‐C₆H₄{C_A(=O)C≡C_BR¹}{CH=CH(CH^?)R²} ( 4 ). Low temperatures (?50 °C) favour attack at C_B leading to kinetic formation of 6,8‐bicycles containing non‐classical C‐carbanion enolates ( 5 ). Higher temperatures (?10 °C to ambient) and electron‐deficient R² favour retro σ‐bond C?C cleavage regenerating 4 , which subsequently closes on C_A providing 6,6‐bicyclic alkoxides ( 6 ). Computational modelling (CBS‐QB3) indicated that both pathways are viable and of similar energies. Reaction of 6 with H⁺ gave 1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐1‐ols, or under dehydrating conditions, 2‐aryl‐1‐alkynylnaphthlenes. Enolates 5 react in situ with: H₂O, D₂O, I₂, allylbromide, S₂Me₂, CO₂ and lead to the expected C ‐E derivatives (E=H, D, I, allyl, SMe, CO₂H) in 49–64 % yield directly from intermediate 5 . The parents (E=H; R¹=SiMe₃, tBu; R²=Ph) are versatile starting materials for NaBH₄ and Grignard C=O additions, desilylation (when R¹=SiMe) and oxime formation. The latter allows formation of 6,9‐bicyclics via Beckmann rearrangement. The 6,8‐ring iodides are suitable Suzuki precursors for Pd‐catalysed C?C coupling (81–87 %), whereas the carboxylic acids readily form amides under T3P® conditions (71–95 %).     

2‐{[Tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]aminomethylene}cyclohexa‐3,5‐dien‐1(2H)‐one and its 6‐hydroxy and 6‐methoxy derivatives

The title compounds, 2‐{[tris­(hydroxy­methyl)­methyl]­amino­methyl­ene}cyclo­hexa‐3,5‐dien‐1(2H)‐one, C₁₁H₁₅NO₄, (I), 6‐hydroxy‐2‐{[tris­(hydroxy­methyl)­methyl]­amino­methyl­ene}­cyclo­hexa‐3,5‐dien‐1(2H)‐one, C₁₁H₁₅NO₅, (II), and 6‐methoxy‐2‐{[tris­(hydroxy­methyl)­methyl]­amino­methyl­ene}­cyclo­hexa‐3,5‐dien‐1(2H)‐one, C₁₂H₁₇NO₅, (III), adopt the keto–amine tautomeric form, with the formal hydroxy H atom located on the N atom, and the NH group and oxo O atom display a strong intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. The N—H⋯O hydrogen‐bonded rings are almost planar and coupled with the cyclo­hexa­diene rings. The carbonyl O atoms accept two other H atoms from the alcohol groups of adjacent mol­ecules in (I), and one from the alcohol and one from the phenol group in (II), but from only one alcohol H atom in (III).     

3‐Oxa‐6,8‐diaza‐1,2:4,5‐dibenzocycloocta‐1,4‐dien‐7‐one: a three‐dimensional network assembled by hydrogen‐bonding, π–π and edge‐to‐face interactions

The title compound, C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₂, is the first structure in which the urea moiety is incorporated into an eight‐membered ring. Two mol­ecules are found in the asymmetric unit, which are almost identical in their conformation and their hydrogen‐bond pattern. The carbonyl O atom acts as a double acceptor for the NH groups of two adjacent mol­ecules. In this way, infinite tapes are formed, which are connected viaπ–π and edge‐to‐face interactions in the second and third dimension. This hierarchical order of interactions is confirmed by molecular mechanics calculations. Force‐field and semi‐empirical calculations for a single mol­ecule did not find the envelope conformation present in the crystal, indicating instead a C_s conformation. Only with a model consisting of a hydrogen‐bonded dimer or a larger hydrogen‐bonded section was a conformation found that was similar to the one present in the crystal.