Anthraquinones from the roots of Prismatomeris malayana

A novel anthraquinone, 1,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methoxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (9) and a new natural product, 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methoxy-9,10-anthraquinone (8) were isolated from the roots of Prismatomeris malayana together with seven known anthraquinones, tectoquinone (1), 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), rubiadin (3), rubiadin-1-methyl ether (4), 1,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (5), nordamnacanthal (6), and damnacanthal (7). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Some of the anthraquinones were tested for anticancer, antifungal, and antimalarial activities.     

New anthraquinones from the stem of Morinda citrifolia Linn

Studies on the chemical constituents of the stem of Morinda citrifolia, Linn. have led to the isolation of two new compounds, morindicinone (=2-hydroxy-1,8-dimethoxy-7-methoxymethylanthraquinone, 1) and morindicininone (=4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dimethoxyanthraquinone, 2), as well as two known constituents, 2-hydroxyanthraquinone (3) and 2-methoxyanthraquinone (4). Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including 2D-NMR techniques.     

Nitrenes-XV: 1-Hydroxymethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-7H-azirino[1,2-a]-indole-7a-carboxylic acid γ-lactone,a nitrene addition compound

Triethyl phosphite deoxygenation of α-(6-nitroveratrylidene)-γ-butyrolactone 1 under moderate conditions affords a mixture of 3-(6-nitroveratryl)-2(5H)-furanone 5, α-(6-ethylaminoveratrylidene)-γ-butyrolactone 6 and 1-hydroxymethyl-4,5-dimethoxy-7H-azirino[1,2-a]indole-7a-carboxylic acid γ-lactone 7, in addition to 3,4-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy[1,3-a]oxazino[3,4-a]indol-1-one 2, ethyl 5,6-dimethoxyindole-2-carboxylate 3, and 2,3-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyfuro[2,3-b]quinoline 4, obtained under more drastic reaction conditions.The isolation of lactones 5 and 7 provides strong evidence for the intermediacy of nitrenes in this reaction which appears to provide the first example of intramolecular aziridine formation from a nitro-aromatic compound and triethyl phosphite.     

A new neolignan glycoside from the leaves of Acer truncatum

A new neolignan glycoside, (7R,8R)-7,8-dihydro-9'-hydroxyl-3'-methoxyl- 8-hydroxymethyl-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1'-benzofuranpropanol 9'-O-beta-D- glucopyranoside (1) was isolated from the leaves of Acer truncatum along with (7R,8R)-7,8-dihydro-9'-hydroxyl-3'-methoxyl-8-hydroxymethyl-7-(4-O-alpha-L-rhamno- pyranosyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1'-benzofuranpropanol (2), schizandriside (3), lyoniresinol (4), berchemol (5), (-)-pinoresinol-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), hecogenin (7), chlorogenic acid (8) and neochlorogenic acid (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compounds 1 was established by its CD spectrum. The antibacterial activities of compounds 1-7 were evaluated.     

Complete assignments 1H and 13C NMR spectral data of four anabaseine derivatives

The anabaseine derivatives 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline, 6,7-dimethoxy-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 6,7-dimethoxy-1-(piperidin-3-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquino- line were prepared either by demethylation with HBr or by reduction with different reagents, NaBH4 and H2/PtO2 from 6,7-dimethoxy-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline, as starting material. The structures have been fully assigned by the combination of one- and two-dimensional experiments.     

Two new iridoids from roots of Patrinia scabra Bunge

Two new iridoids 1,3-dimethyloxy-7-hydroxymethyl-4-(3-methyl-butyryloxymethyl)-1-hydrocyclopenta-4,7-diene[c]pyran-6-one (1) and 1,3-dimethyloxy-7-hydroxymethyl-4-methyloxymethyl-1-hydrocyclopenta-4,7-diene[c]pyran-6-one (2) were isolated from the roots of Patrinia scabra Bunge. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on HRESIMS, EIMS, IR, UV, 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY correlations, as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Isolation and structure determination of two new constituents from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia Linn

Studies on the chemical constituents of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia Linn. have led to the isolation of two new compounds, morinaphthalene (=1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, (1); and morindafurone (=5-hydroxy-1,10b-dihydro-6H-anthra [1,9-bc] furan-6-one, (2); as well as two known constituents, 1,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-9-anthrone (3) and 2,4-dimethoxy-9-anthrone (4). Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including 2D NMR techniques.     

Reactions of 6,7-dimethoxy- 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline with <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-quinone methides

Products of heterocyclization, 9,10-dimethoxy-12,13-dihydro-7aH,15H-naphtho[1',2':5,6][1,3]oxazino-[2,3-a]isoquinolines, were isolated on condensing 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline with 1-dimethylaminomethyl-2-naphthols. In the case of o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols products of a Michael aza reaction, 2-[(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)methyl]phenols were obtained.     

A novel 8.O.6'-neolignan from Taxillus theifer

A new 8.O.6'-neolignan, threo-(7R,?8R)-7-acetoxy-3',4'-dimethoxy-3,4-dimethoxy-Δ-(8')-8.O.6'-neolignan (1) along with two known lignans (2) and (3), was isolated from the leaves and stems of Taxillus theifer. Structural elucidation was carried out by 1-D and 2-D-NMR spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations of C-7 and C-8 in 1 were determined on the basis of circular dichroism. Compound 2 is threo-7-acetoxy-3'-methoxy-3,4-dimethoxy-Δ-(7')-8.O.4'-neolignan obtained from a natural source for the first time, previously derived from a synthesis study of 8,4'-oxyneolignans.     

Synthesis of Novel 1,3-Dioxolane Nucleoside Analogues

Novel 1,3-dioxolane C-nucleoside analogues of tiazofurin 2-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-1,3-thiazole4-carboxamide as well as N-nucleoside analogues of substituted imidazoles 1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan4-yl)-4-nitroimidazole and 1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-4,5-dicyanoimidazole were synthesized from methyl acrylate through a multistep procedure. Their structures were confirmed by IR,^1H NMR,^13C NMR spectraand elemental analysis.     

Anthraquinones with antiplasmodial activity from the roots of Rennellia elliptica Korth. (Rubiaceae)

Dichloromethane root extract of Rennellia elliptica Korth. showed strong inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro with an IC?? value of 4.04 μg/mL. A phytochemical study of the dichloromethane root extract has led to the isolation and characterization of a new anthraquinone, 1,2-dimethoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (1), and ten known anthraquinones: 1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), nordamnacanthal (3), 2-formyl-3-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4), damnacanthal (5), lucidin-ω-methyl ether (6), 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (7), rubiadin (8), 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (9), rubiadin-1-methyl ether (10) and 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (11). Structural elucidation of all compounds was accomplished by modern spectroscopic methods, notably 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV and HREIMS. The new anthraquinone 1, 2-formyl-3-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4) and 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (7) possess strong antiplasmodial activity, with IC?? values of 1.10, 0.63 and 0.34 μM, respectively.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species VIII. Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U, from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb

Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) in low yield. Broussonetines R, S and T were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-3-[6-(4-hydroxybutyl)-cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyllpropyl] pyrrolidine (1), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,10S)-1,10,13-trihydroxytridecyl] pyrrolidine (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,5S)-1,5, 13-trihydroxy-10-oxo-tridecyl] pyrrolidine (3). And broussonetines U and V were proposed to be (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-5-(9-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5-pyrroline (4), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(E)-9-oxo-13-hydroxy-3-tridecenyl] pyrrolidine (5), respectively, by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

Five new peltogynoids from underground parts of Iris bungei: a Mongolian medicinal plant

Five new peltogynoids, irisoids A-E (1-5), have been isolated from the underground parts of Iris bungei. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods and were found to be 1,8,10-trihydroxy-9-methoxy-[1]benzopyrano-[3,2-c][2]-benzopyran-7(5H)-one (1), 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dimethoxy-[1]benzopyrano-[3,2-c][2]-benzopyran-7(5H)-one (2), 1,10-dihydroxy-8,9-dimethoxy-[1]benzopyrano-13,2-c][2]-benzopyran-7(5H)-one (3), 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-methylenedioxy-[1]benzopyrano-[3,2-c][2]-benzopyran-7(5H)-one (4), and 1,8,11-trihydroxy-9,10-methylenedioxy-[1]benzopyrano-[3,2-c][2]-benzopyran-7(5H)-one (5). The structure of irisoid B (2) was established unambiguously by X-ray diffraction study.     

Synthetic transformations of isoquinoline alkaloids. Synthesis of 1-halo derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis>-ethenotetrahydrothebaine and their behavior in the heck reaction

Bromination of endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaine derivatives having a pyrrolidine ring fused at the C⁷-C⁸ bond, namely 1′-substituted 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morphinan-2′,5′-diones, 1′-aryl-4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morphinans, and 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-2′α-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morpphinan-5′-one, with molecular bromine in formic acid smoothly afforded the corresponding 1-bromo derivatives. Iodination of 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]-4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]-morphinan-2′,5′-dione with iodine(I) chloride gave 4,5α-epoxy-6α,14-etheno-1-iodo-3,6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′,5′,7β,8β-tetrahydro-1′H-14α-pyrrolo[3′,4′:7,8]morphinan-2′,5′-dione. The resulting 1-halo derivatives were brought into the Heck reaction with acrylic acid esters to obtain 1-[(E)-2-(alkoxycarbonyl)ethenyl]-substituted compounds. Demethylation of the 6-methoxy group in 1-bromo-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaines was accomplished using boron(III) bromide in chloroform.     

Synthesis and Transformation of 4-(1-Chloro-1-nitroethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methylquinazoline: Spectral Characterization and Anti-cancer Properties of some Novel Quinazoline Derivatives

An efficient and simple method has been reported for the synthesis of 4-(1-Chloro-1-nitroethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methylquinazoline ( 2 ) as a key compound for further transformation to other novel 6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-4-substituted quinazolines. The structure of the synthesized compounds was characterized by spectroscopic methods. The pathway of some unprecedented reactions was proposed. (E)-1-(6,7-dimethoxy-2-methylquinazolin-4-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (11) exhibits high in vitro cytotoxicity on three cell lines, Hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2), Human lung carcinoma (LU-1), and Human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) with IC₅₀ of 2.1, 11.6 and 2.2 μM, respectively.     

Total synthesis of the proposed structures of hyacinthacines C2, C3, and their C5-epimers

Synthesis and structural confirmation of highly oxygenated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, hyacinthacines C₂ [(1S,2R,3R,5R,7S,7aR)-3,5-hydroxymethyl-1,2,7-trihydroxypyrrolizidine], C₃[(1S,2R,3R,5S,7R,7aR)-3,5-hydroxymethyl-1,2,7-trihydroxypyrrolizidine], and their C5-epimers were achieved on the basis of the highly divergent method employing (S)-(−)-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid as the starting material.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species X. Six new alkaloids from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.

Six new alkaloids, broussonetines W, X, M1, U1, J3, and J2 (1-6) were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) as minor constituents. They were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxy-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyllpyrrolidine (1), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyl]pyrrolidine-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(9R)-9,13-dihydroxytridecyl]- pyrrolidine (3), (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(10-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5- pyrroline (4), (2R)-2-[(IS,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-1(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-1-acetylpyrrolidinyl)loctyl]piperidine (5), (2R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-[(2R,3R, 4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethy]-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidinyl)]octyl]piperidine (6).     

New asymmetric strategy for the total synthesis of naturally occurring (+)-alexine and (−)-7-epi-alexine

A novel and highly convenient process is described for the asymmetric synthesis of polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, (+)-alexine [(1R,2R,3R,7S,7aS)-3-hydroxymethyl-1,2,7-trihydroxypyrrolizidine] and (−)-7-epi-alexine [(1R,2R,3R,7R,7aS)-3-hydroxymethyl-1,2,7-trihydroxypyrrolizidine], as the potent glycosidase inhibitors by featuring the efficient and stereodefined elaboration of the functionalized pyrrolidine derivatives, which were, in turn, prepared via stereoselective manipulation of the homochiral allyl alcohol precursors derived from l-xylose.     

Cytotoxic and antimicrobial aporphine alkaloids from Fissistigma poilanei (Annonaceae) collected in Vietnam

Two new aporphine alkaloids: 8-hydroxy-9-methoxy-1,2-methylenedioxyaporphine (1) and 8-hydroxy-3,9-dimethoxy-1,2-methylenedioxyaporphine (2) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Fissistigma poilanei along with five known compounds: oxocrebanine (3), kuafumine (4), (2R,3R)-3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), (+)-catechin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6) and quercetine 3,7-dimethoxy-3'-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1?→?2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). These two new aporphine alkaloids exhibited a moderate cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines (KB, Hep-G2, MCF-7, LU) as well as antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtillis.     

Synthesis of planar chiral ferrocene alcohols as potential dendrimer cores

Planar chiral compounds, 1-hydroxymethyl-2-methylferrocene and new 3-(2-hydroxymethylferrocenyl)propanol, were synthesized to be used as dendrimer cores. The ethers of these compounds, namely, 1-(benzyloxymethyl)-2-methylferrocene and 2-(benzyloxymethyl)-1-(benzyloxypropyl)ferrocene, can be regarded as zero-generation Freche type dendrimers. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1116–1119, July, 2006.