A novel synthesis of (−)-callicarpenal

Callicarpenal, isolated from the leaves of American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) and Japanese beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica), exhibits significant mosquito bite-deterring activity and repellent activity against ticks and fire ants. The mosquito bite-deterring activity level of callicarpenal was reported to be similar to that of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. The novel synthesis of (?)-callicarpenal reported herein was accomplished by starting from (+)-pulegone. In our original approach, a novel Prins-type cyclization based on Meyer–Schuster rearrangement was featured as a key step.     

Mersicarpine, an unusual tetracyclic dihydroindole alkaloid incorporating a seven-membered imine ring

A novel dihydroindole derivative, viz., mersicarpine, incorporating a novel tetracyclic carbon skeleton, containing a seven-membered imine ring, was obtained from a Malayan Kopsia species. The structure was established by spectroscopic analysis and a possible biogenetic pathway from a leuconolam precursor is presented.     

New pentacyclic cyclol-type naphthohydroquinone from the roots of Pentas bussei

The novel naphthohydroquinone, methyl 5,10-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,1,3a-trimethyl-1a,2,3,3a,10c,10d-hexahydro-1H-4-oxacyclobuta[cd]indeno[5,6-a]naphthalene-9-carboxylate 2, was isolated from the hexane extract of dried roots of Pentas bussei. Its structure elucidation was done by detailed spectroscopic methods. It is the first cyclol moiety containing naphthohydroquinone to be reported, and a novel natural product from P. bussei.     

A Novel Dextran Dextrinase from Gluconobacter oxydans DSM-2003: Purification and Properties

Dextran has already been widely applied in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. In this study, a novel intracellular dextran dextrinase (DDase, EC 2.4.1.2) from Gluconobacter oxydans DSM-2003 exhibiting catalytic activity to synthesize dextran from maltodextrin was purified to homogeneity by ultrasonic cell disruption, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. This procedure showed 187.5-fold purification from the cell-free extract with 41.9 % yield. And the apparent molecular weight was estimated to be 62 kDa by SDS-PAGE. It was different from the reported literatures, which found that the molecular weight of intracellular and extracellular DDase of G. oxydans ATCC-11894 was 300 and 152 kDa, respectively. Otherwise, it showed different physicochemical characteristics (optimal temperature and pH, thermal, pH stability, effect of metal ions) from the DDase of G. oxydans ATCC-11894. This indicated that DDase of G. oxydans DSM-2003 was a novel one compared to the reported literatures.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 2-(m-substituted-benzoyl)baccatin III analogs from taxinine

2-m-Azidobenzoyl and 2-m-chlorobenzoyl baccatin III analogs were prepared from taxinine, a major component in Japanese yew leaves. In this study, a novel acetyl migration from 13- to 4-hydroxyl group was observed. The antitumor activity of these compounds was evaluated.     

A novel 10-membered macrocyclic lactone from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Annulohypoxylon sp.

A novel 10-membered macrolactone, hypoxylide (1), was isolated from the endophytic fungus Annulohypoxylon sp. that was obtained from the Mangrove plant Rhizophora racemosa. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were unambiguously elucidated by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR, as well as by HRESIMS and ECD spectroscopic analyses. Hypoxylide (1) features an unprecedented polyketide skeleton comprised of a trihydroxynaphthalene-dione moiety fused to a decalactone ring. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of this novel metabolite is proposed.     

Synthesis of 8-aryl-7H-acenaphtho[1,2-d]imidazoles by multicomponent reaction of acenaphthylene-1,2-dione and aromatic aldehydes with ammonium acetate catalyzed by ferric hydrogensulfate

We report a novel and efficient method of synthesis of 8-aryl-7H-acenaphtho[1,2-d]imidazole derivatives, catalyzed by ferric hydrogensulfate in ethanol under reflux. A series of acenaphtho[1,2-d]imidazoles was synthesized in good to excellent yields from aromatic aldehydes, acenaphthylene-1,2-dione, and ammonium acetate. The remarkable features of this novel method are high conversion and simple experimental and work-up procedures.     

Identity of “subulacine N-oxide” with 1β,2β-epoxy-1α-hydroxymethyl-8α-pyrrolizidine

Subulacine N-oxide, a purportedly novel pyrrolizidine alkaloid from Heliotropium subulatum, was shown to have nmr and mass spectral properties identical with 1β,2β-epoxy-1α-hydroxymethyl-8α-pyrrolizidine, previously known from Crotalaria trifoliastrum.     

Design of reversible multi-electron redox systems using benzochalcogenophenes containing aryl and/or ferrocenyl fragments

2,3-Disubstituted benzo[b]thiophenes, 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophenes, and 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]selenophene have been systematically and selectively synthesized from benzo[b]thiophene or phthaloyl dichloride as a starting material, respectively. Characterization of the molecules was performed by physical and spectroscopic means and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The cyclic voltammograms of the chalcogenophene derivatives containing aryl fragments showed well-defined reversible both anodic and cathodic steps derived from the unusually stable 5π chalcogenophene radical cations and 7π chalcogenophene radical anions. The cyclic voltammograms of the novel chalcogenophene derivatives containing ferrocenyl fragments showed a well-defined reversible cathodic step derived from the unusually stable 7π chalcogenophene radical anions and two distinct reversible anodic steps derived from ferrocenium cations separated from each other by a thiophene-heterocycle. The radical character of several novel 7π chalcogenophene radical anions was measured by ESR spectroscopy.     

Enzymatic formation of unnatural novel polyketide scaffolds by plant-specific type III polyketide synthase

The catalytic potential of octaketide synthase (OKS), a plant-specific type III polyketide synthase (PKS) from Aloe arborescens, was investigated by phenylacetyl-CoA and benzoyl-CoA as starter substrates. As a result, a novel C₁₆ pentaketide coumarin was produced from phenylacetyl-CoA, whereas benzoyl-CoA was not a good substrate of OKS. Remarkably, a structure-guided OKS N222G mutant dramatically extended the product chain length to yield four novel polyketides including C₂₂ aromatic octaketides from the C₆-C₂ phenylacetyl starter, as well as a novel C₁₉ heptaketide benzophenone from the C₆-C₁ benzoyl starter.     

Langduin C, a novel dimeric diterpenoid from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana

Langduin C, a novel dimeric diterpenoid, was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and its structure was established by spectral data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Montmorillonite K-10 clay catalyzed solvent-free synthesis of bis-indolylindane-1,3-dione, 2-(1′,3′-dihydro-1H-[2,3′]biindolyl-2′-ylidene)-indan-1,3-dione and bisindolylindeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline under microwave irradiation

An environmentally benign protocol has been described for the synthesis of novel 2-(1′,3′-dihydro-1H-[2,3′]biindolyl-2′-ylidene)-indan-1,3-diones/bis-indolylindane-1,3-diones from ninhydrin and 3-substituted/unsubstituted indoles. It uses montmorillonite K-10 as catalyst in a solvent-free condition under microwave irradiation. The method was also used for the synthesis of novel bisindolylindeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline derivatives.     

Novel Bio-Functional Aloe vera Beverages Fermented by Probiotic Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus lactis

Aloe vera has been medicinally used for centuries. Its bioactive compounds have been shown to be very effective in the treatment of numerous diseases. In this work, a novel functional beverage was developed and characterized to combine the health benefits of probiotic bacteria with the Aloe vera plant itself. Two Aloe vera juices were obtained by fermentation either by a novel isolated Enterococcus faecium or a commercial Lactococcus lactis. The extraction of Aloe vera biocompounds for further fermentation was optimized. Extraction with water plus cellulase enhanced the carbohydrates and phenolic compounds in the obtained extracts. The biotransformation of the bioactive compounds from the extracts during fermentation was assessed. Both probiotic bacteria were able to grow on the Aloe vera extract. Lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) together with fourteen individual phenolic compounds were quantified in the produced Aloe vera juice, mainly epicatechin, aloin, ellagic acid, and hesperidin. The amount of total phenolic compounds was maintained through fermentation. The antioxidant activity was significantly increased in the produced juice by the ABTS method. The novel produced Aloe vera juice showed great potential as a functional beverage containing probiotics, prebiotics, SCFA, and phenolic compounds in its final composition.     

A template guided approach to generating cell permeable inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus biotin protein ligase

Inhibitors of biotin protein ligase (BPL) are novel antimicrobial compounds with the potential to treat infections caused by bacteria resistant to current antibiotics. A novel BPL inhibitor (12, K_i 1.4 μM) was synthesized from biotin acetylene and an azide-functionalized analogue of fluorescent nitrobenzofurazan by Cu(I) catalysed cycloaddition and also by template guided synthesis using wild-type BPL from Staphylococcus aureus. LC/HRMS-based detection provides improved sensitivity over previous reports using a mutant BPL, with demonstrated applicability to other BPLs. Super-imaging fluorescence microscopy demonstrated the accumulation of 12 in the cytoplasm of S. aureus, but not Escherichia coli. This novel fluorescent probe can be used to gain new insights into the mechanism of uptake, efflux and metabolism of BPL inhibitors in S. aureus.     

Syntheses of a partially benzylated derivative of the anhydro-d-altro-heptulose found in Coriaria japonica A and of its analogs

A partially benzylated derivative of anhydro-d-altro-heptulose found in Coriaria japonica A, which is a synthetically useful unit, was successfully synthesized from a d-mannose derivative by a novel synthetic approach involving the intramolecular O-ketopyranosylation reaction developed by us. This synthetic approach was also applicable to the preparation of its four analogs.     

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.     

Arbophylline, a novel heptacyclic indole with a cage skeleton incorporating an acetal moiety

A new indole alkaloid, arbophylline, possessing a novel heptacyclic cage skeleton, and incorporating an acetal function, was obtained from the Malayan Kopsia arborea. The structure was established by spectroscopic analysis and a possible biogenetic pathway from an akuammiline-type precursor is presented.     

New access to H-phosphonates via metal-catalyzed phosphorus-oxygen bond formation

A novel approach to H-phosphonates from hypophosphorous acid using a transfer hydrogenation process was developed. This method is atom-economical, environmentally friendly, catalytic, and efficient, leading easily to H-phosphonate monoesters or ammonium salt in moderate to good yields.     

Regioselective palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of 2,4,6-trihalogenopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines

An effective, regioselective, and novel strategy to the access of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines is developed from the corresponding 2,4,6-trihalogenopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine through a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction involving a novel regioselective halogen discrimination.