Two New Highly Oxidized Humulane Sesquiterpenes from the Basidiomycete Lactarius mitissimus

Two new highly oxidized humulane sesquiterpenes, mitissimols F ( 1 ) and G ( 2 ), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Lactarius mitissimus. Their structures were elucidated by using extensive spectroscopic techniques including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of mitissimol F ( 1 ) was determined by ¹H‐NMR resolution of its diastereoisomeric α‐methoxy‐α‐(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetates (MTPA). It was shown to be (1S,3E,6S,8R,9R,10S,11R)‐8,9 : 10,11‐diepoxy‐1,6‐dihydroxyhumul‐3‐en‐5‐one (=(1S,2R,4R,6S,8E,11S,12R)‐6,11‐dihydroxy‐1,6,10,10‐tetramethyl‐3,13‐dioxatricyclo[10.1.0.0^2,4]tridec‐8‐en‐7‐one).     

Neoclerodane Diterpenes from Amoora stellato‐squamosa

From the twigs of Amoora stellato‐squamosa, five new neoclerodane diterpenes have been isolated and characterized, methyl (13E)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐oate (=methyl (2E)‐3‐methyl‐5‐[(1S,2R,4aR,8aR)‐1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a‐octahydro‐1,2,4a,5‐tetramethyl‐7‐oxo‐naphthalen‐1‐yl]pent‐2‐enoate; 1 ), (13E)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐ol (=(4aR,7R,8S,8aR)‐1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a‐octahydro‐8‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐4,4a,7,8‐tetramethylnaphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), (3α,4β,13E)‐neoclerod‐13‐ene‐3,4,15‐triol (=(1R,2R,4aR, 5S,6R,8aR)‐decahydro‐5‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalene‐1,2‐diol; 3 ), (3α,4β,13E)‐4‐ethoxyneoclerod‐13‐ene‐3,15‐diol (=(1R,2R,4aR,5S,6R,8aR)‐1‐ethoxydecahydro‐5‐[(E)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylpent‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalen‐2‐ol; 4 ), and (3α,4β,14RS)‐neoclerod‐13(16)‐ ene‐3,4,14,15‐tetrol (=(1R,2R,4aR,5S,6R,8aR)‐decahydro‐5‐[3‐(1,2‐dihydroxyethyl)but‐3‐enyl]‐1,5,6,8a‐tetramethylnaphthalene‐1,2‐diol; 5 ), together with two known compounds, (13E)‐neocleroda‐3,13‐diene‐15,18‐diol ( 6 ) and (13S)‐2‐oxoneocleroda‐3,14‐dien‐13‐ol ( 7 ).     

Preparation and (E/Z)‐Isomerization of the Diastereoisomers of Violaxanthin

Violaxanthin A (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6R,3′S,5′S,6′R)‐5,6 : 5′,6′‐diepoxy‐5,6,5′,6′‐tetrahydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol =syn,syn‐violaxanthin; 5 ) and violaxanthin B (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6R,3′S,5′R,6′S)‐5,6 : 5′,6′‐diepoxy‐5,6,5′,6′‐tetrahydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol=syn,anti‐violaxanthin; 6 ) were prepared by epoxidation of zeaxanthin diacetate ( 1 ) with monoperphthalic acid. Violaxanthins 5 and 6 were submitted to thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structure of the main products, i.e., (9Z)‐ 5 , (13Z)‐ 5 , (9Z)‐ 6 , (9′Z)‐ 6 , (13Z)‐ 6 , and (13′Z)‐ 6 , was determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and mass spectra.     

(2S,3S)‐2,6‐Dimethylheptane‐1,3‐diol,the oxygenated side chain of 22(S)‐hydroxycholestrol,and its synthetic precursor (R)‐4‐benzyl‐3‐[(2R,3S)‐3‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethylheptanoyl]‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one

(2S,3S)‐2,6‐Dimethylheptane‐1,3‐diol, C₉H₂₀O₂, (I), was synthesized from the ketone (R)‐4‐benzyl‐3‐[(2R,3S)‐3‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethylheptanoyl]‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one, C₁₉H₂₇NO₄, (II), containing C atoms of known chirality. In both structures, strong hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy groups form tape motifs. The contribution from weaker C—H...O hydrogen bonds is much more evident in the structure of (II), which furthermore contains an example of a direct short Osp³...Csp² contact that represents a usually unrecognized type of intermolecular interaction.     

Metabolism of Deuterated threo‐Dihydroxy Fatty Acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Enantioselective Formation and Characterization of Hydroxylactones and γ‐Lactones

Biotransformation of (±)‐threo‐7,8‐dihydroxy(7,8‐²H₂)tetradecanoic acids (threo‐(7,8‐²H₂)‐ 3 ) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae afforded 5,6‐dihydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecanoic acids (threo‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 4 ), which were converted to (5S,6S)‐6‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐5‐lactone ((5S,6S)‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 7 ) with 80% e.e. and (5S,6S)‐5‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐6‐lactone ((5S,6S)‐5,6‐²H₂)‐ 8 ). Further β‐oxidation of threo‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 4 yielded 3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acids (threo‐(3,4‐²H₂)‐ 5 ), which were converted to (3R,4R)‐3‐hydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decano‐4‐lactone ((3R,4R)‐ 9 ) with 44% e.e. and converted to ²H‐labeled decano‐4‐lactones ((4R)‐(3‐²H₁)‐ and (4R)‐(2,3‐²H₂)‐ 6 ) with 96% e.e. These results were confirmed by experiments in which (±)‐threo‐3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acids (threo‐(3,4‐²H₂)‐ 5 ) were incubated with yeast. From incubations of methyl (5S,6S)‐ and (5R,6R)‐5,6‐dihydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecanoates ((5S,6S)‐ and (5R,6R)‐(5,6‐²H₂)‐ 4a ), the (5S,6S)‐enantiomer was identified as the precursor of (4R)‐(3‐²H₁)‐ and (2,3‐²H₂)‐ 6 ). Therefore, (4R)‐ 6 is synthesized from (3S,4S)‐ 5 by an oxidation/keto acid reduction pathway involving hydrogen transfer from C(4) to C(2). In an analogous experiment, methyl (9S,10S)‐9,10‐dihydroxyoctadecanoate ((9S,10S)‐ 10a ) was metabolized to (3S,4S)‐3,4‐dihydroxydodecanoic acid ((3S,4S)‐ 15 ) and converted to (4R)‐dodecano‐4‐lactone ((4R)‐ 18 ).     

Chemical and Cytotoxic Constituents from the Stem of Machilus zuihoensis

Five new compounds, including a novel lactone, machilactone (=rel‐(2R,3aR,6E,6aS)‐2‐heptadecyl‐3a‐methyl‐6‐octadecylidene‐6,6a‐dihydrofuro[2,3‐d][1,3]dioxol‐5(3aH)‐one; 1 ), a new sesquiterpene, 3,4‐dihydroxy‐β‐bisabolol (=rel‐(1R,2S,4R)‐1‐[(1R)‐1,5‐dimethylhex‐4‐enyl]‐1‐methylcyclohexane‐1,2,4‐triol; 2 ), a new secobutyrolactone, methyl (2E)‐2‐(1‐hydroxy‐2‐oxopropyl)eicos‐2‐enoate ( 3 ), two new butyrolactones, machicolide A ( 4 ) and machicolide B ( 5 ) (=3E,4R,5R)‐ and (3Z,4R,5R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐5‐methyl‐3‐octadecylidenefuran‐2(3H)‐one, resp.) as a mixture, together with known caryophyllene oxide (=4,12,12‐trimethyl‐9‐methylene‐5‐oxatricyclo[8.2.0.0^4,6]dodecane), hexacosane, tetracosanoic acid, isomahubanolide‐23 (=(3E,4R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylidene‐3‐octadecylidenefuran‐2(3H)‐one), and β‐bisabolol (=(1S)‐1‐[(1S)‐1,5‐dimethylhex‐4‐enyl]‐4‐methylcyclohex‐3‐en‐1‐ol) were isolated from the stem wood of Machilus zuihoensis. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic studies. The eicos‐2‐enoate ( 3 ) and β‐bisabolol exhibited marginal cytotoxicity against NUGC and HONE‐1 cancer cell lines in vitro.     

1‐Aminoindan‐2‐ol,a Suitable Ligand for the Synthesis of Chiral,Intramolecularly Stabilized Compounds of Aluminum,Gallium, and Indium

The reactions of enantiomerically pure (1R, 2S)‐(+)‐cis‐1‐aminoindan‐2‐ol, (1S, 2R)‐(‐)‐cis‐1‐aminoindan‐2‐ol, and racemic trans‐1‐aminoindan‐2‐ol with trimethylaluminum, ‐gallium, and ‐indium produce the intramolecularly stabilized, enantiomerically pure dimethylmetal‐1‐amino‐2‐indanolates (1R, 2S)‐(+)‐cis‐Me₂AlO‐2‐C*HC₇H₆‐1‐C*HNH₂ ( 1 ), (1S, 2R)‐(‐)‐cis‐Me₂AlO‐2C*HC₇H₆‐1‐C*HNH₂ ( 2 ), (1R, 2S)‐(+)‐cis‐Me₂GaO‐2‐C*HC₇H₆‐1‐C*HNH₂ ( 3 ), (1R, 2S)‐(+)‐cis‐Me₂InO‐2‐C*HC₇H₆‐1‐C*HNH₂ ( 4 ), (1S, 2R)‐(‐)‐cis‐Me₂InO‐2‐C*HC₇H₆‐1‐C*HNH₂ ( 5 ), and racemic (+/‐)‐trans‐Me₂InO‐2‐C*HC₇H₆‐1‐C*HNH₂ ( 6 ). The compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ²⁷Al NMR and mass spectra as well as 1 and 3 to 6 by determination of their crystal and molecular structures. The dynamic dissociation/association behavior of the coordinative metal‐nitrogen bond was studied by low temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Two androsterone derivatives as inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis

The title compounds, (3R,5S,5′R,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐5′‐(2‐methylpropyl)tetradecahydro‐6′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,2′‐[1,4]oxazinane]‐6′,17(2H)‐dione, C₂₆H₄₁NO₃, (I), and methyl (2R)‐2‐[(3R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)‐10,13‐dimethyl‐2′,17‐dioxohexadecahydro‐3′H‐spiro[cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene‐3,5′‐[1,3]oxazolidin‐3′‐yl]]‐4‐methylpentanoate, C₂₈H₄₃NO₅, (II), possess the typical steroid shape (A–D rings), but they differ in their extra E ring. The azalactone E ring in (I) shows a half‐chair conformation, while the carbamate E ring of (II) is planar. The orientation of the E‐ring substituent is clearly established and allows a rationalization of the biological results obtained with such androsterone derivatives.     

Partial Synthesis and Characterization of Karpoxanthins and Cucurbitaxanthin A Epimers

Karpoxanthin (=(all-E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,6,3′-tetrol; 7 ), 6-epikarpoxanthin (=(all-E,3S,5R,6S,3′R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,6,3′-tetrol; 4 ), 5-epikarpoxanthin (=(all-E,3S,5S,6R,3′-R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,6,3′-tetrol; 11 ), cucurbitaxanthin A (=(all-E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 10 ), epicucurbitaxanthin A (=(all-E-3S,5S,6R,3′R)-3,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,3′-diol; 14 ), and the corresponding mutatoxanthin epimers 8 , 9 , 12 , and 13 were prepared in crystalline state by the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of (3S,5R,6S,3′R)- and (3S,5S,6R,3′R)-antheraxanthin ( 5 and 6 , resp.) and characterized by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectra.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 2‐(2‐Arylcyclopropyl)glycines: Conformationally Restricted Homophenylalanine Analogs

Starting from simple aromatic aldehydes and acetylfuran, (E)‐1‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐3‐arylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones ( 2 ) were synthesized in high yields. Cyclopropanation of the C?C bond with trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (Me₃SO⁺I^?) furnished (furan‐2‐yl)(2‐arylcyclopropyl)methanones 3 in 90–97% yields. Selective conversion of cyclopropyl ketones to their (E)‐ and (Z)‐oxime ethers 5 and oxazaborolidine‐catalyzed stereoselective reduction of the C?N bond followed by separation of the formed diastereoisomers, furnished (2‐arylcyclopropyl)(furan‐2‐yl)methanamines 6 in optically pure form and high yield. Oxidation of the furan ring of (S,S,S)‐, (S,R,R)‐, (R,S,S)‐, and (R,R,R)‐ 6a afforded the four stereoisomers of α‐(2‐phenylcyclopropyl) glycine ( 1a ).     

(all-E)-12′-Apozeaxanthinol,Persicaxanthine und Persicachrome

( all-E)-12′-Apozeanthinol, Persicaxanthine, and Persicachromes Reexamination of the so-called ‘persicaxanthins’ and ‘persicachromes’, the fluorescent and polar C₂₅-apocarotenols from the flesh of cling peaches, led to the identification of the following components: (3R)-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 3 ), (3S,5R,8R, all-E)- and (3S,5R,8S,all-E)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diols (4 and 5, resp.), (3S,5R,6S,all-E)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-l2′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol =persicaxanthin; ( 6 ), (3S,5R,6S,9Z,13′Z)-5,6-dihydro-12′apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 7 ; probable structure), (3S,5R,6S,15Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 8 ), and (3S,5R,6S,13Z)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-12′-apo-β-carotene-3,12′-diol ( 9 ). The (Z)-isomers 7 – 9 are very labile and, after HPLC separation, isomerized predominantly to the (all-E)-isomer 6 .     

Total synthesis of (3Z,9Z,6S,7R) and (3Z,9Z,6R,7S)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadienes

(3Z,9Z,6S,7R)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene (1) and (3Z,9Z,6R,7S)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene (2) have been stereoselectively synthesized in eight steps from 2-pentyn-1-ol with an overall yield of 8%. The key steps involved the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of (2E)-oct-2-en-5-yn-1-ol (6). The new synthetic method is suitable for multigram-scale preparation of 1 and 2 and might be used for producing sufficient quantities of the sex pheromone components for management of the pest of tea plantations.     

Gomadalactones A, B, and C: novel 3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane compounds in the contact sex pheromone of the white-spotted longicorn beetle, Anoplophora malasiaca

The ether extract of the females of white-spotted longicorn beetle Anoplophora malasiaca showed activity as contact sex pheromone to males. The extract was fractionated, and a pheromonal activity was revealed only when three fractions; n-hexane, n-hexane/EtOAc 9:1, and EtOAc were blended. The relative structures of gomadalactone A, B, and C, three active components isolated from the EtOAc fraction, were determined by spectroscopic studies to be (1S^∗,4R^∗,5S^∗)-5-hydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methylhept-3-enyl]-4,8-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-7-en-2,6-dione, (1R^∗,4R^∗,5R^∗)-5-hydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methylhept-3-enyl]-4,8-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-7-en-2,6-dione, and (1S^∗,4R^∗,5S^∗,8S^∗)-5-hydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methylhept-3-enyl]-4,8-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2,6-dione, respectively.     

Isomerization of (all‐E)‐Cucurbitaxanthin A

Cucurbitaxanthin A (=(all‐E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)‐3,6‐epoxy‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐5,3′‐diol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and to I₂‐catalysed photoisomerization. The structure of the main reaction products (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), and (13′Z)‐cucurbitaxanthin A ( 5 ) was determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra.     

Metabolism of Deuterated erythro‐Dihydroxy Fatty Acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Enantioselective Formation and Characterization of Hydroxylactones

Epoxides of fatty acids are hydrolyzed by epoxide hydrolases (EHs) into dihydroxy fatty acids which are of particular interest in the mammalian leukotriene pathway. In the present report, the analysis of the configuration of dihydroxy fatty acids via their respective hydroxylactones is described. In addition, the biotransformation of (±)‐erythro‐7,8‐ and ‐3,4‐dihydroxy fatty acids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was characterized by GC/EI‐MS analysis. Biotransformation of chemically synthesized (±)‐erythro‐7,8‐dihydroxy(7,8‐²H₂)tetradecanoic acid ((±)‐erythro‐ 1 ) in the yeast S. cerevisiae resulted in the formation of 5,6‐dihydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecanoic acid ( 6 ), which was lactonized into (5S,6R)‐6‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐5‐lactone ((5S,6R)‐ 4 ) with 86% ee and into erythro‐5‐hydroxy(5,6‐²H₂)dodecano‐6‐lactone (erythro‐ 8 ). Additionally, the α‐ketols 7‐hydroxy‐8‐oxo(7‐²H₁)tetradecanoic acid ( 9a ) and 8‐hydroxy‐7‐oxo(8‐²H₁)tetradecanoic acid ( 9b ) were detected as intermediates. Further metabolism of 6 led to 3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acid ( 2 ) which was lactonized into 3‐hydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decano‐4‐lactone ( 5 ) with (3R,4S)‐ 5 =88% ee. Chemical synthesis and incubation of (±)‐erythro‐3,4‐dihydroxy(3,4‐²H₂)decanoic acid ((±)‐erythro‐ 2 ) in yeast led to (3S,4R)‐ 5 with 10% ee. No decano‐4‐lactone was formed from the precursors 1 or 2 by yeast. The enantiomers (3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐3,4‐dihydroxy(3‐²H₁)nonanoic acid ((3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐ 3 ) were chemically synthesized and comparably degraded by yeast without formation of nonano‐4‐lactone. The major products of the transformation of (3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐ 3 were (3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐3‐hydroxy(3‐²H₁)nonano‐4‐lactones ((3S,4R)‐ and (3R,4S)‐ 7 ), respectively. The enantiomers of the hydroxylactones 4, 5 , and 7 were chemically synthesized and their GC‐elution sequence on Lipodex^® E chiral phase was determined.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Complicated Bicyclic and Tricyclic Polypropanoates via the Double Diels‐Alder Addition of 2,2′‐Ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran]

A new, non‐iterative method for the asymmetric synthesis of long‐chain and polycyclic polypropanoate fragments starting from 2,2′‐ethylidenebis[3,5‐dimethylfuran] ( 2 ) has been developed. Diethyl (2E,5E)‐4‐oxohepta‐2,5‐dienoate ( 6 ) added to 2 to give a single meso‐adduct 7 containing nine stereogenic centers. Its desymmetrization was realized by hydroboration with (+)‐IpcBH₂ (isopinocampheylborane), leading to diethyl (1S,2R,3S,4S,4aS,7R,8R,8aR,9aS,10R,10aR)‐1,3,4,7,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐9‐oxo‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐1,8‐dicarboxylate ((+)‐ 8 ; 78% e.e.). Alternatively, 7 was converted to meso‐(1R,2R,4R,4aR,5S,7S,8S,8aR,9aS,10s,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H‐10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,6,9(4H,5H,7H)‐trione ( 32 ) that was reduced enantioselectively by BH₃ catalyzed by methyloxazaborolidine 19 derived from L ‐diphenylprolinol giving (1S,2S,4S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,8R,8aS,9aR,10R,10aS)‐1,8‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐1,8,8a,9a‐tetrahydro‐6‐hydroxy‐2,4,5,7,10‐pentamethyl‐2H,10H‐2,4a : 7,10a‐diepoxyanthracene‐3,9(4H,7H)‐dione ((−)‐ 33 ; 90% e.e.). Chemistry was explored to carry out chemoselective 7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone oxa‐ring openings and intra‐ring C−C bond cleavage. Polycyclic polypropanoates such as (1R,2S,3R,4R,4aR,5S,6R,7S,8R,9R,10R,11S,12aR)‐1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a‐decahydro‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐12‐oxo‐2H,5H‐2,4a : 6,9 : 6,11‐triepoxybenzocyclodecene‐10,8‐carbolactone ( 51 ), (1S,2R,3R,4R,4aS,5S,7S,8R,9R,10R,12S,12aS)‐1,10‐bis(acetoxymethyl)tetradecahydro‐8‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,4,5,7,9‐pentamethyl‐3,9‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}‐6,11‐epoxycyclodecene‐4a,6,11,12‐tetrol ((+)‐ 83 ), and (1R,2R,3R,4aR,4bR,5S,6R, 7R,8R,8aS,9S,10aR)‐3,5‐bis(acetoxymethyl)‐4a,8a‐dihydroxy‐1‐(methoxymethoxy)‐2,6,8,9,10a‐pentamethyl‐2,7‐bis{[2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methoxy}dodecahydrophenanthrene‐4,10‐dione ( 85 ) were obtained in few synthetic steps.     

Stereoselective and Enantioselective Syntheses of the Four Stereoisomers of Muscol from (3RS)‐Muscone

Two trans stereoisomers of 3‐methylcyclopentadecanol (=muscol), (1R,3R)‐ 2 and (1S,3S)‐ 2 , were efficiently synthesized from (3RS)‐3‐methylcyclopentadecanone (=muscone; (3RS)‐ 1 ) by a highly stereoselective reduction (Scheme). L‐Selectride^® (=lithium tri(sec‐butyl)borohydride) was used, followed by the enantiomer resolution by lipase QLG (Alcaligenes sp.). The cis stereoisomers of muscol, (1S,3R)‐ 2 and (1R,3S)‐ 2 , were obtained by the Mitsunobu inversion of (1R,3R)‐ 2 and (1S,3S)‐ 2 , respectively (Scheme). The absolute configuration of (1R,3R)‐ 2 was determined by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis of its 3‐nitrophthalic acid monoester, 2‐[(1R,3R)‐3‐methylcyclopentadecyl hydrogen benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate ((1R,3R)‐ 3b ), and by oxidation of (1R,3R)‐ 2 to (3R)‐muscone.     

Stereo‐Inversion in the (4R)‐γ‐Decanolactone Synthesis by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: (2E,4S)‐4‐Hydroxydec‐2‐enoic Acid Acts as a Key Intermediate

Methyl (2E,4R)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate, methyl (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate, and ethyl (±)‐(2E)‐4‐hydroxy[4‐²H]dec‐2‐enoate were chemically synthesized and incubated in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Initial C‐chain elongation of these substrates to C₁₂ and, to a lesser extent, C₁₄ fatty acids was observed, followed by γ‐decanolactone formation. Metabolic conversion of methyl (2E,4R)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate and methyl (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate both led to (4R)‐γ‐decanolactone with >99% ee and 80% ee, respectively. Biotransformation of ethyl (±)‐(2E)‐4‐hydroxy(4‐²H)dec‐2‐enoate yielded (4R)‐γ‐[²H]decanolactone with 61% of the ²H label maintained and in 90% ee indicating a stereoinversion pathway. Electron‐impact mass spectrometry analysis (Fig. 4) of 4‐hydroxydecanoic acid indicated a partial C(4)→C(2) ²H shift. The formation of erythro‐3,4‐dihydroxydecanoic acid and erythro‐3‐hydroxy‐γ‐decanolactone from methyl (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate supports a net inversion to (4R)‐γ‐decanolactone via 4‐oxodecanoic acid. As postulated in a previous work, (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoic acid was shown to be a key intermediate during (4R)‐γ‐decanolactone formation via degradation of (3S,4S)‐dihydroxy fatty acids and precursors by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Beiträge zur Chemie der Pyrrolpigmente, 75. Mitt. Phytochrom-Modell-Studien: Stereochemische Untersuchungen an einem zwischen den pyrrolischen Ringen A und C peptidartig überbrückten 2,3-Dihydrobilatrien-abc

The sterochemistry of a 2,3-dihydrobilatriene-abc bridged between the pyrrolic rings A and C by means of a (S)-lysine fragment was investigated in two solvent systems using 2D-¹H-NMR and absorption spectroscopic techniques. The molecule adopts a circular helical geometry designated as (3S,4Z,9Z,15Z,5sp,10sp,14sp) in chloroform solutions. ForHMPT solutions however, an extended geometry characterized by (3S,4E,9E,15Z,5sp,10ap,14sp) was observed. The chiroptical properties of these two systems which are stabilized by the bridging moiety are discussed.     

Synthese von enantiomerenreinen Violaxanthinen und verwandten Verbindungen

Syntheses of Enantiomerically Pure Violaxanthins and Related Compounds The epoxides 16 and ent- 16 , prepared by Sharpless-Katsuki oxidation of 15 in excellent yield and very high enantiomeric purity, were used as synthons for the preparation of (+)-(S)-didehydrovomifoliol (45) , (+)-(6S, 7E, 9E)-abscisic ester 46 , (+)-(6S, 7E, 9Z)-abscsic ester 47 , (?)-(3S, 7E, 9E)-xanthoxin (49) , (?)-(3R, 7E, 9E)-xanthoxin (50) , (3S, 5R, 6S, 3′S,5′R, 6′S, all-E)-violaxanthin (1) (3R, 5R,6S,3′R,5′R,6′S, all-E)-violaxanthin (55) and their (9Z) (see 53 , 57 ), (13Z) (see 54 , 58 ), and (15Z) (see 60 ) isomers. The novel violadione ( 61 ) was prepared from 1 by oxidation with DMSO/Ac₂O. By base treatment, 61 was converted into violadienedione (62) , a potential precursor of carotenoids with phenolic end groups.