EBC‐219: A New Diterpene Skeleton,Crotinsulidane, from the Australian Rainforest Containing a Bridgehead Double Bond

EBC‐219 ( 4 ), isolated from Croton insularis (Baill), was established by spectroscopic and DFT methods as the first member of a new diterpene skeletal class, uniquely defined by the presence of a bicyclo[10.2.1] bridgehead olefin. The proposed biogenetic pathway to 4 from the co‐isolated natural products EBC‐131 ( 1 ), EBC‐180 ( 2 ) and EBC‐181 ( 3 ) is highly likely. EBC‐180 ( 2 ) and EBC‐181 ( 3 ) showed moderate to strong cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines.     

EBC‐219: A New Diterpene Skeleton,Crotinsulidane, from the Australian Rainforest Containing a Bridgehead Double Bond

EBC‐219 ( 4 ), isolated from Croton insularis (Baill), was established by spectroscopic and DFT methods as the first member of a new diterpene skeletal class, uniquely defined by the presence of a bicyclo[10.2.1] bridgehead olefin. The proposed biogenetic pathway to 4 from the co‐isolated natural products EBC‐131 ( 1 ), EBC‐180 ( 2 ) and EBC‐181 ( 3 ) is highly likely. EBC‐180 ( 2 ) and EBC‐181 ( 3 ) showed moderate to strong cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines.     

Structural studies and biological evaluation of Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II) complexes of carbohydrazone derived from ethyl acetoacetate in addition to crystallographic description of La (III) or Sm (III) catalytic activity abnormal product

New carbohydrazone ligand derived from the condensation of carbohydrazide and ethyl acetoacetate, diethyl 3,3′‐(carbonylbis (hydrazin‐2‐yl‐1‐ylidene))(3E,3′E)‐dibutyrate (H₄EBC), and its divalent Co, Ni and Cu chelates have been isolated and characterized utilizing convenient methods. ¹H‐NMR spectrum of H₄EBC revealed the abundance of the enol isomer in solution, which was the opposite to what was shown by the solid IR. This was supported by comparing the theoretical IR of both keto and enol forms. In [Ni(H₄EBC)Cl₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O, H₄EBC acts as a neutral NON tridentate ligand via the (C=O)_carbonyl oxygen atom besides the two (C=N)_azomethine nitrogen atoms, while in [Co(H₄EBC)Cl₂(2H₂O)]·2H₂O, H₄EBC behaves as a neutral NN bidentate ligand through the two azomethine groups. Magnetic measurements inherent to their electronic spectra show that both Ni (II) and Co (II) chelates have octahedron coordination frameworks. On the other hand, the ligand behaves as a binegative tetradentate in [Cu₂(H₄EBC)Cl₂]·H₂O via the deprotonated (C=O)_carbonyl groups of the ethyl acetoacetate framework and the two (C=N)_azomethine groups. In the latter complex, the carbonyl group of the carbohydrazide moiety is converted to hydroxyl group. Cu (II) complex has a tetrahedral geometry according to ESR and electronic spectral data. The reaction of H₄EBC with SmCl₃·6H₂O or LnCl₃·7H₂O gave single crystals of abnormal product (C₁₆H₁₆N₄O₄). The packing diagram of this crystal has a chain structure. The photoluminescence spectra of [Cu ₂ (H ₄ EBC)Cl ₂ ]·H ₂ O , [Co(H ₄ EBC)Cl ₂ (H ₂ O) ₂ ]·2H ₂ O and [Ni(H ₄ EBC)Cl ₂ (H ₂ O)]·2H ₂ O display emission broad‐bands at 342, 321 and 337 nm, respectively. The microbial behavior of the synthesized moieties was investigated against various bacterial and fungal strains. [Cu₂(H₄EBC)Cl₂]·H₂O complex shows the same activity as ampicillin towards Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zones of 26 and 22 mm, respectively. Antioxidant activity is determined using bleomycin‐dependent DNA damage assay besides erythrocyte hemolysis. Finally, in vitro cytotoxic activities against two different cell lines have been examined.     

25R/25S stereochemistry of spirostane‐type steroidal sapogenins and steroidal saponins via chemical shift of geminal protons of ring‐F

A method based on the differences among the ¹H NMR chemical shifts of geminal protons of ring‐F methylene resonances (H₂‐23, H₂‐24 and H₂‐26) is proposed for ascertaining the 25R/25S stereochemistry of ring‐F unsubstituted spirostane‐type steroidal sapogenins and steroidal saponins. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unprecedented 1,14‐seco‐Crotofolanes from Croton insularis: Oxidative Cleavage of Crotofolin C by a Putative Homo‐Baeyer–Villiger Rearrangement

EBC‐162 isolated from Croton insularis, obtained from the northern rainforest of Australia, was structurally affirmed as crotofolin C ( 4 ). Novel oxidative degradation products, EBC‐233 and EBC‐300, which are the first crotofolane endoperoxides, were also isolated. Both endoperoxides were found to be stable intermediates, which are proposed to undergo an unprecedented homo‐Baeyer–Villiger biosynthetic rearrangement to give a new class of 1,14‐seco‐crotofolane diterpenes. Prolonged storage of all isolates assisted in authenticating their natural product status. Anticancer activities of reported compounds are presented.     

Single‐breath analysis using a novel simple sampler and capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductometric detection

The analysis of ionic content of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from one single breath by CE with C⁴D is demonstrated for the first time. A miniature sampler made from a 2‐mL syringe and an aluminum cooling cylinder for collection of EBC was developed. Various parameters of the sampler that influence its collection efficiency, repeatability, and effect of respiratory patterns were studied in detail. Efficient procedures for the cleanup of the miniature sampler were also developed and resulted in significant improvement of sampling repeatability. Analysis of EBC was performed by CE‐C⁴D in a 60 mM MES/l ‐histidine BGE with 30 μM CTAB and 2 mM 18‐crown‐6 at pH 6 and excellent repeatability of migration times (RSD < 1.3% (n = 7)) and peak areas (RSD < 7% (n = 7)) of 12 inorganic anions, cations, and organic acids was obtained. It has been shown that the breathing pattern has a significant impact on the concentration of the analytes in the collected EBC. As the ventilatory pattern can be easily controlled during single exhalation, the developed collection system and method provides a highly reproducible and fast way of collecting EBC with applicability in point‐of‐care diagnostics.     

Resolution of (S,S)‐4‐(2,2,4‐tri­methyl­chroman‐4‐yl)­phenyl camphanate and its 4‐chromanyl epimer by crystallization

Dianin's compound (4‐p‐hydroxy­phenyl‐2,2,4‐tri­methyl­chroman) has been resolved by crystallization of the (S)‐(−)‐camphanic esters (S,S)‐ and (R,S)‐4‐(2,2,4‐tri­methyl­chroman‐4‐yl)­phenyl 4,7,7‐tri­methyl‐3‐oxo‐2‐oxabi­cyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐1‐carboxyl­ate, both C₂₈H₃₂O₅, from 2‐methoxy­ethanol, yielding the pure S,S diastereomer. The relative stereochemistry of both diastereomers has been determined by X‐ray crystallography, from which the absolute stereochemistry could be deduced from the known configuration of the camphanate moiety. The crystallographic conformations have been analysed, including the 1:1 disorder of the R,S diastereomer.     

Synthesis of Potentially Antiviral 2′,3′‐Dideoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐3′‐(hydroxyamino)nucleosides

A series of novel 3′‐(alkyl(hydroxy)amino)‐2′‐fluoronucleoside analogs were prepared via conjugate addition of N‐methylhydroxylamine to various 2‐fluorobutenolides. The adducts 13a and 16 were obtained as single isomers under absolute control of stereochemistry. The crucial N‐demethylation of 23 – 25 was readily achieved by means of DDQ oxidation, followed by nitrone/oxime exchange reaction. By this procedure, a variety of alkyl groups could be efficiently introduced at the 3′‐N‐atom of the nucleoside analogs, some of which might display potentially interesting anti‐HIV properties.     

(1R,2R)‐2‐(4‐Methylenecyclohex‐2‐enyl)propyl (1R,4S)‐camphanate

Esterification of a single diastereomer of 2‐(4‐methylene­cyclohex‐2‐enyl)propanol, (II), with (1R,4S)‐(+)‐camphanic acid [(1R,4S)‐4,7,7‐trimethyl‐3‐oxo‐2‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐1‐carboxylic acid] leads to the crystalline title compound, C₂₀H₂₈O₄. The relative configuration of the camphanate was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The outcome clarifies the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the naturally occurring bisabolane sesquiterpenes β‐turmerone and β‐sesquiphellandrene, since we have converted (II) into both natural products via a stereospecific route.     

Isolation,Structure Determination,and Synthesis of Allo‐RA‐V and Neo‐RA‐V,RA‐Series Bicyclic Peptides from Rubia cordifolia L.

Two bicyclic hexapeptides, allo‐RA‐V ( 4 ) and neo‐RA‐V ( 5 ), and one cyclic hexapeptide, O‐seco‐RA‐V ( 6 ), were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Their gross structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X‐ray crystallography of compound 5 . The absolute stereochemistry of compounds 4 and 5 were established by their total syntheses, and the absolute stereochemistry of compound 6 by chemical correlation with deoxybouvardin ( 3 ). Comparison of the 3D structures of highly active RA‐VII ( 1 ) with less‐active compounds 4 and 5 suggests that the orientation of the Tyr‐5 and/or Tyr‐6 phenyl rings plays a significant role in their biological activity. The isolation of peptides 4 – 6 , along with compound 3 , and the comparison of their structures seem to indicate that peptide 6 may be the common precursor to bicyclic peptides 3 – 5 in the plant.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,thermal behaviour,in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities of novel ruthenium tricarbonyl complexes containing monodentate V‐shaped Schiff bases

The interaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with a novel family of monodentate V‐shaped Schiff base ligands (L^1–4; L¹: (E)‐1‐(4‐((4‐bromobenzylidene)amino)phenyl)ethanone, L²: (E)‐1‐(3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone, L³: (E)‐1‐(4‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone, L⁴: (E)‐1‐(3‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone) in air under atmospheric pressure afforded the novel complexes [Ru(CO)₃(L^1–4)₂]. The parent ligands and their complexes were characterized using elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the structure of the representative ligand L¹ was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The stereochemistry and theoretical optimization of the three‐dimensional geometry of the ligands and their complexes were justified. In vitro antimicrobial screening against bacterial stains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and fungus Candida albicans was conducted. Cytotoxicity of the compounds as anti‐tumour agents was evaluated against liver carcinoma (HepG2), breast carcinoma (MCF7) and colon carcinoma (HCT‐116) cell lines relative to cisplatin and doxorubicin. The complexes showed variable in vitro cytotoxic activities against the three studied cell lines, with IC₅₀ values less than those of cis‐platin, and thus appear to be building blocks for promising anti‐tumour agents.     

(1R,8R,11R)‐3,3,11‐Tri­methyl‐6,6‐ethyl­ene­dioxy­bi­cyclo­[6.3.0]­undecan‐2‐one and (1R,2R,8R,11R)‐3,3,11‐tri­methyl‐6,6‐ethylenedioxybicyclo[6.3.0]undecan‐2‐ol

The reduction of (1R,8R,11R)‐3,3,11‐tri­methyl‐6,6‐ethyl­ene­dioxy­bi­cyclo­[6.3.0]­undecan‐2‐one, C₁₆H₂₆O₃, (I), gave exclusively an alcohol, C₁₆H₂₈O₃, (II). The stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group in (II) was shown as R. The conformation around the eight‐membered carbocycle in (I) differs markedly from that in (II).     

Novel asymmetric 3,5‐bis(arylidene)piperidin‐4‐one derivatives: synthesis,crystal structures and cytotoxicity

3,5‐Bis(arylidene)piperidin‐4‐one derivatives (BAPs) display good antitumour activity because of their double α,β‐unsaturated ketone structural characteristics. Reported BAPs have generally been symmetric and asymmetric BAPs have been little documented. Three asymmetric BAPs, namely (5E)‐3‐(4‐tert‐butylbenzylidene)‐5‐(4‐fluorobenzylidene)‐1‐methylpiperidin‐4‐one, C₂₄H₂₆FNO, ( 5 ), (5E)‐3‐(4‐tert‐butylbenzylidene)‐5‐(3,5‐dimethoxybenzylidene)‐1‐methylpiperidin‐4‐one, C₂₆H₃₁NO₃, ( 6 ), and (5E)‐3‐{3‐[(E)‐(2,3‐dihydroxybenzylidene)amino]benzylidene}‐5‐(2‐fluorobenzylidene)‐1‐methylpiperidin‐4‐one, C₂₇H₂₃FN₂O₃, ( 12 ), were generated by Claisen–Schmidt condensation. They are characterized by NMR and FT–IR spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. Single‐crystal structure analysis reveals that the two arylidene rings on both sides of the BAP structures adopt an E stereochemistry of the olefinic double bonds and the compounds are E,E isomers. Molecules of ( 5 ) and ( 12 ) generate one‐dimensional chains through intermolecular hydrogen bonds, while compound ( 6 ) generates a two‐dimensional network through hydrogen bonds. Preliminary cytotoxicities toward human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), human acute mononuclear granulocyte leukaemia (THP‐1) and human normal hepatical cell line (LO2) were evaluated.     

General model of assignment of the relative stereochemistry in the Nicholas reaction products resulting from chiral dicobalthexacarbonyl‐1‐alkoxy‐propargylium cations

The Nicholas reaction of chiral 1‐alkoxy‐dicobalthexacarbonyl‐propargylium cations with linear and/or cyclic silyl enol ethers resulted in the formation of two pairs of diastereoisomers (syn‐1, syn‐2 and anti‐1, anti‐2), depending on the relative stereochemistry of the two new stereocenters formed in the reaction products. Here, we present a model to establish the relative stereochemistry of those stereocenters on the basis of a correlation of their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, together with their conformational analysis and a study of the stereoelectronic interactions conditioning the chemical shifts and coupling constants. The importance of this method is based on its applicability to the assignment of the relative stereochemistry of non‐separable components of a diastereomeric mixture or, when diastereomers are non‐crystallizable oily products, not suitable for X‐ray diffraction analysis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pseudolarolides O and P,Two Novel Triterpene Dilactones from Pseudolarix kaempferi

Pseudolarolides O ( 1 ) and P ( 2 ), two novel triterpenoids with a cycloartane‐type framework, were isolated from the seeds of Pseudolarix kaempferi Gord. (Pinaceae). Their structures were elucidated as (16R,23S,25R)‐16,23‐epoxy‐3,4 : 9,10‐disecocycloartan‐1(10),9(11)‐diene‐3(4),26(23)‐diolide ( 1 ), and (9S,16R,23S,25R)‐1,9 : 16,23‐diepoxy‐8,9 : 9,10‐disecocycloartan‐1(29),5(6),10(19)‐triene‐3(4),26(23)‐diolide ( 2 ), respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and X‐ray‐diffraction studies.     

Synthesis of Bis(indole) Alkaloids from Arundo donax: The Ynindole Diels–Alder Reaction,Conformational Chirality,and Absolute Stereochemistry

Bis(indole) alkaloids from Arundo donax were synthesized using the first ynindole Diels–Alder reaction. The alkaloids are chiral, having stable enantiomeric conformations with half‐lives of racemization of t_1/2=4150–25100 seconds at room temperature. Their absolute stereochemistry was determined using the exciton chirality method.     

First example of the topochemical polymerization of the (E,E)‐muconic acid derivative

The 1‐naphthylmethylammonium salts of not only (Z,Z)‐ but also (E,E)‐muconic acid were found to polymerize upon photoirradiation in the crystalline state to provide a stereoregular polymer in a high yield. The stereochemical structure of both polymers obtained from the monomers with different configurations was identical, i. e., a meso‐diisotactic‐trans‐2,5‐structure. The stereochemistry of the polymers obtained is discussed on the basis of the monomer configuration and the molecular packing in the crystals.     

Synthesis of Bis(indole) Alkaloids from Arundo donax: The Ynindole Diels–Alder Reaction,Conformational Chirality,and Absolute Stereochemistry

Bis(indole) alkaloids from Arundo donax were synthesized using the first ynindole Diels–Alder reaction. The alkaloids are chiral, having stable enantiomeric conformations with half‐lives of racemization of t_1/2=4150–25100 seconds at room temperature. Their absolute stereochemistry was determined using the exciton chirality method.     

gem‐Dimethylcyclopropanation of dibenzylideneacetone using triisopropyl sulfoxonium tetrafluoroborate

The reaction between dibenzylideneacetone (dba) and triisopropyl sulfoxonium tetrafluoroborate has been reinvestigated. The stereochemistry of the major diasteromeric bis(gem‐dimethylcyclopropane) adduct has now been assigned as [(1RS,3RS)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐3‐phenylcyclopropyl][(1SR,3SR)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐3‐phenylcyclopropyl]methanone, C₂₃H₂₆O, by X‐ray crystallographic studies on a twinned crystal. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules of the adduct, the conformations of which differ in the orientation of the phenyl ring relative to the adjacent cyclopropanated double bond. The carbonyl groups of each adduct are aligned approximately along the a axis and in opposite directions to each other. The molecules pack to give a sinusoidal pattern along the b axis. This is the first acyclic bis(dimethylcyclopropyl) ketone for which an X‐ray crystal structure determination has been reported, and is also the first bis‐cyclopropanated dba analogue. The knowledge that the major diastereomer has the meso structure (and therefore the confirmation that the minor isomer is the racemate) will prove invaluable in future studies to utilize bis(dimethylcyclopropyl) ketones as reagents, in rearrangement processes, and as potential ligands and ligand precursors in organometallic chemistry.     

Chirality Control by Substituents in the Asymmetric Addition of Et_2Zn to Aromatic Aldehydes Catalyzed by cis-(1 R,2S)-2- Benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic Acid Derived 1,3-Aminoalcohols

A series of novel optically active 1,3‐aminoalcohols based on cis‐(1R,2S)‐2‐benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid and trans‐(1R,2R)‐2‐benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid were synthesized and used in the asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes. Not only the enantioselectivity but also the stereochemistry of the product were controlled by the N‐substituents and the substituents on the vicinity carbon to hydroxyl group of the cis‐derivatives.