Total synthesis of (+)-dactylolide

[reaction: see text] The total synthesis of the new cytotoxic marine macrolide (+)-dactylolide (1) has been achieved in nine steps from known vinyl bromide (-)-AB. In addition, (+)-zampanolide (2) has been converted to (+)-dactylolide (1) via thermolysis.     

Significant enhancement of electron transfer reduction of NAD(+) analogues by complexation with scandium ion and the detection of the radical intermediate-scandium ion complex

4-Acetyl-N,N-diisopropyl-1-benzylnicotinamidinium ion (ABNA(+)) and 1-benzyl-4-phenylnicotinamidinium ion (PhBNA(+)) were newly synthesized as NAD(+) analogues to examine the electron-transfer reactivity and the effects of metal ions on the reactivity in comparison with those of 1-benzylnicotinamidinium ion (BNA(+)) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)) which has no amide or acetyl group. A remarkable positive shift in the one-electron reduction potential of ABNA(+) was observed in the presence of Sc(3+) which forms a 1:1 complex with ABNA(+) through both acetyl and amide groups, whereas no such shift in the presence of Sc(3+) was observed for the one-electron reduction of MPP(+) which has no acetyl or amide group. Similar but less positive shifts in the one-electron reduction potentials were observed in the presence of Sc(3+) for the one-electron reduction of BNA(+) and PhBNA(+) both of which have only one amide group. The rate of electron-transfer reduction of ABNA(+) is enhanced significantly by the complexation with Sc(3+) to produce stable ABNA(*)-Sc(3+) complex which has been successfully detected by ESR. The electron self-exchange rates of the MPP(*)/MPP(+) system have been determined from the ESR line width variation and are compared with those of the ABNA(*)/ABNA(+) system.     

(+)-Kunstlerone, a new antioxidant neolignan from the Leaves of Beilschmiedia kunstleri gamble

A new neolignan, 3,4-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-2,9-epoxy-6,7-cyclo-1,8-neolign-11-en-5(5H)-one, which has been named (+)-kunstlerone (1), together with six known alkaloids: (+)-norboldine (2), (+)-N-methylisococlaurine (3), (+)-cassythicine (4), (+)-laurotetanine (5), (+)-boldine (6) and (-)-pallidine (7), were isolated from the leaves of Beilschmiedia kunstleri. The structures were established through various spectroscopic methods notably 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR and LCMS-IT-TOF. (+)- Kunstlerone (1) showed a strong antioxidant activity, with an SC(50) of 20.0 μg/mL.     

The D 1Sigma+ state of 7LiH: comparison of observations with vibronic theory

The excited D (1)Sigma(+) electronic state of (7)LiH has been observed up to near its dissociation limit by a pulsed optical-optical double resonance fluorescence depletion spectroscopic technique. An extensive vibronic calculation has been performed with a diabatic approach with purely potential couplings involving a set of eight diabatic states of (1)Sigma(+) symmetry, corresponding to seven neutral states and one ionic state. Twenty-six new vibrational levels have been observed. Both the derived vibrational energy spacings and the vibronic ones are similarly irregular. The observed spectral linewidths and vibronic resonance widths are found to vary similarly with increasing energy. Observed asymmetric spectral lineshapes may be attributed to the strong radial couplings between the discrete levels of the D (1)Sigma(+) electronic state and the continuum states of the C (1)Sigma(+) electronic state. The mutual agreement between the spectral results and the vibronic results demonstrates that the D (1)Sigma(+) electronic state of (7)LiH is better characterized by the vibronic approach.     

Total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1. An effective second-generation construction of an advanced EF Wittig salt,fragment union,and final elaboration

A stereocontrolled, total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1 (1) has been achieved. Union of a second-generation EF Wittig salt (+)-3 with the advanced ABCD aldehyde (-)-4, followed by regioselective macrolactonization and global deprotection afforded (+)-spongistatin 1 (1). The longest linear sequence, 29 steps, proceeded in 0.5% overall yield.     

Interactions in the B(+)-RG complexes and comparison with Be(+)-RG (RG = He-Rn): evidence for chemical bonding

Potential energy curves for the interaction of B(+) ((1)S) with RG ((1)S), RG = He-Rn, have been calculated at the CCSD(T) level of theory employing quadruple-ζ and quintuple-ζ quality basis sets. The interaction energies from these curves were subsequently point-by-point extrapolated to the basis set limit. Rovibrational energy levels have been calculated for each extrapolated curve, from which spectroscopic parameters are determined. These are compared to previously determined experimental and theoretical values. The potentials have also been employed to calculate the transport coefficients for B(+) traveling through a bath of RG atoms. We also investigate the interactions between B(+) and the rare gases via contour plots, natural population analysis (NPA), and molecular orbital diagrams. In addition, we consider the atoms-in-molecules (AIM) parameters. The interactions here are compared and contrasted with those for Li(+)-He and Be(+)-RG; it is concluded that there is significant and increasing dative covalent bonding for the Be(+)-RG and B(+)-RG complexes for RG = Ar-Rn, while the other species are predominantly physically bound.     

Cembranoid diterpenes and a briarane diterpene from corals

Two new cembrane diterpenes (+)-polydactylide (1) and (+)-7alpha,8beta-dihydroxydeepoxysarcophine (2) together with (+)-sarcophine (3) and (+)-sarcophytoxide (4) have been isolated from the soft coral Sinularia polydactyla. The new cembrane diterpene (-)-7beta-hydroxy-8alpha-methoxydeepoxysarcophine (5) has been obtained from the soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and the known briarane diterpene briaexcavatolide W (6) from the gorgonian coral Briareum sp.The structures were determined primarily by NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of NMR signals was performed by means of (1)H-(1)H COSY, ROESY, HMQC and HMBC experiments.     

Spectrophotometric study of the alkali metal-murexide complexes in some non-aqueous solutions

The complexes of murexide with alkali-metal cations have been studied spectrophotometrically in methanol, dimethylformamide and dimethylsulphoxide media at 25 degrees . The stoichiometry of the complexes was found to be 1:1. The formation constants of the complexes were determined, and found to decrease in the order Na(+) > K(+) > Rb(+) approximately Li(+) for all solvents studied. The complex formation constants varied inversely with the Gutmann donicity of the solvents.     

Concerning the reaction between singlet nitrenium ions and water: a computational investigation on competitive reaction paths

The reaction between singlet nitrenium ions XNH(+) (X = F and Cl) and H(2)O has been investigated by high-level of theory ab initio calculations. The geometries of the involved intermediates, transition structures, and dissociation products have been optimized at the MP2(full)/6-31G(d) level of theory, and accurate total energies have been obtained using the Gaussian-3 (G3) procedure. The reaction commences by the exothermic formation of the F-NH-OH(2) (+) and Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) intermediates, which are in turn able to undergo two distinct low-energy reaction paths, namely, the isomerization to the N-protonated isomers of the hydroxylamines F-NH-OH or Cl-NH-OH, and the eventual extrusion of HF or HCl. The competitive or alternative occurrence of these two processes strictly depends on the nature of the substituent X. In the reaction between FNH(+) and H(2)O, the energy gained in the formation of the complex F-NH-OH(2) (+) from the association between FNH(+) and H(2)O, 52.1 kcal mol(-1), is by far larger than the activation barrier for the loss of HF from F-NH-OH(2) (+), computed as 24.9 kcal mol(-1). In addition, the F-NH-OH(2) (+) intermediate requires 33.0 kcal mol(-1) to overcome the barrier for the isomerization to F-NH(2)-OH(+). Therefore, the reaction between FNH(+) and H(2)O is expected to occur practically exclusively by HF elimination with formation of the HN-OH(+) ionic product. On the other hand, for the reaction between ClNH(+) and H(2)O, it is not possible to get a definitive conclusion on the competitive or alternative occurrence of the two reaction paths. In fact, the transition structure involved in the elimination of HCl from Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) is only 3.4 kcal mol(-1) lower in energy than the transition structure for the isomerization of Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) to Cl-NH(2)-OH(+). In addition, the absolute values of the energy barriers of these two processes, 24.2 and 27.6 kcal mol(-1), respectively, are comparable with the energy gained in the formation of the complex Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) from the association between ClNH(+) and H(2)O, 24.0 kcal mol(-).1 Therefore, the ClNH(+) cation is predicted to react with water significantly slower than FNH(+).     

Synthesis of the antiepileptic (R)-Stiripentol by a combination of lipase catalyzed resolution and alkene metathesis

The enantiopure (ee >99%) antiepileptic (R)-(+)-Stiripentol has been stereoselectively synthesized via cross metathesis of 5-vinylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole 1 and (R)-(+)-4,4-dimethylpent-1-en-3-ol (R)-(+)-2. A novel one-pot two-step pathway for the synthesis of 5-vinylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole 1 starting from 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid has been introduced. A lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution access to enantiopure (R)-(+)-4,4-dimethylpent-1-en-3-ol (R)-(+)-2 (ee >99%) has also been developed.     

Preparation and Odor Evaluation of Both Enantiomers of 3,4,4aα,5,6,7,8,8aβ-Octahydro-5,5,8aβ-trimethyl-2(1H)-naphthalenone and 1,2α,3,4,4aβ,5,6,7,8,8aβ-Decahydro-5,5,8aβ-trimethyl-2β-naphthalenyl Acetate,Four Woody Odorants

The enantiomeric decahydro-2-naphthalenols (+)- 5 and (?)-5 were prepared by enantioselective hydrolysis of the racemic chloroacetate (±)- 2 catalyzed by porcine pancreatic lipase, and converted to the corresponding acetates (+)- 1 and (?)- 1 and ketones (+)- 6 and (?)- 6 . The absolute configurations of the ketones, alcohols, and acetates were established by chemical correlation with natural manool ((+)- 7 ) by making use of a retro-ene cleavage reaction of the known manool degradation product 8 to (?)- 6 . A distinct odour difference between the two enantiomers of each pair (+)- 1 /(?)- 1 and (+)- 6 /(?)- 6 has been found.     

Parallel and coupled perpendicular transitions of RbCs 640 nm system: mass-resolved resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a cold molecular beam

We have investigated the RbCs 640 nm system by mass-resolved resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a cold molecular beam. Very complex vibronic structures were observed between 15420 and 15990 cm (-1). The parallel transitions of 2 (3)Pi 0 v' = 4-20 <-- X (1)Sigma (+) v' = 0 were identified by rotationally resolved spectra. Molecular constants and a Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential energy curve of the 2 (3)Pi 0 state were determined. The regular vibrational spacing of the parallel transition indicated that the 2 (3)Pi 0 state is not significantly perturbed by nearby excited electronic states. The complexity of the observed vibronic structures has been attributed to the coupled perpendicular transitions of 2 (1)Pi, 2 (3)Pi 1, and 3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) <-- X (1)Sigma (+) v' = 0. For the perpendicular bands observed in the lower-energy spectral region between 15420 and 15630 cm (-1) where the onsets of the 2 (3)Pi 1 and 3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) <-- X (1)Sigma (+) transitions are located, the upper electronic states and the vibrational quantum numbers were assigned. Perturbations of 2 (3)Pi 1-3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) and 2 (1)Pi-3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) have been identified by the observed level shifts.     

Benzimidazole conjugate of 1,1'-thiobis(2-naphthol) as switch-on fluorescence receptor for Ag+ and the complex as secondary recognition ensemble toward Cys, Asp, and Glu in aqueous methanolic solution: synthesis, characterization, ion and amino acid recognition, computational studies, and microscopy features

A new 1,1'-thiobis(2-naphthoxy)-based receptor molecule (L) containing a benzimidazole moiety has been synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. The selectivity of L has been explored in aqueous methanol, resulting in selective (7.5 ± 0.5)-fold switch-on fluorescence response toward Ag(+) among 14 different transition, alkali, and alkaline earth metal ions studied. The complexation of Ag(+) by L has been addressed by ESI-MS, (1)H NMR, and UV-vis spectra. Microstructural features of L and its Ag(+) complex have been measured by AFM and TEM. The morphological features of L alone and L in the presence of Ag(+) differ dramatically both in shape and size, and the ion induces the formation of chains owing to its coordinating ability toward benzimidazole. Further, the in situ [Ag(+)-L] complex was titrated against 20 naturally occurring amino acids and found that this complex acts as a secondary recognition ensemble toward Cys, Asp, and Glu by switch-off fluorescence.     

The stereoselectivity of the alkylation of the dianion of ethyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylcyclohexanecarboxylates: Control of stereochemistry at three adjacent stereogenic centers

Yeast reduction of rac-ethyl 2-methyl-6-oxocylohexanecarboxylate (rac- 1 ) yielded selectively (+)-ethyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylcyclohexane carboxylate (+)- 2 (Scheme 1) which has been alkylated with 5-iodo-2-methylbut-2-ene by (the dianion method to furnish the 4-methylbut-3-enyl derivat 3 (Scheme 3)). NaBH₄ reduction of (+)- 1 led to three hydroxy-carboxylates (?)- 2 , (+)- 5 , and (?) -6 (Scheme 4). Allylation of the dianion of (+)- 5 afforded (+)- 7 .     

Alcaloides bisbenzylisoquinoleiques biphenyliques de guatteria guianensis

A complete study of the bisbenzylisoquinolines with an ether and a biphenyl bridge isolated from Guatteria guianensis enable us to establish rules to correlate spectral data and absolute configuration in this type of dimer. Six new dimers have been isolated, (+)-2'-norfuniferine 1, (+)-2'-nortiliageine 3, (+)-guattamine 5, (+)-2'-norguattaguianine 6, (+)-2,2'-bisnorguattaguianine 8, and (+)-guattaminone 9.     

Synthese et configuration absolue de terpenes naturels: (+) uroterpenol, (+) et (−) α-bisabolols, (−) α-bisabololone

Stereoisomers of 8,9-epoxy p-menthene-1 have been synthetised and after separation their absolute configurations have been determined. From the (+)-epoxides we obtained isomers of (+)-uroterpenol and (+)-α-bisabolol. From the (?)-epoxides we obtained isomers of (?)-α-bisabololone. Natural (+)-and (?)-α-bisabolols are of configuration (4R, 8S) and (4S, 8R) respectively. Natural (?)-a-bisabololone has the (4S, 8R) configuration.     

NO+ formation pathways in dissociation of N2O+ ions at the C2Σ+ state revealed from threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence velocity imaging

Using the novel threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) velocity imaging technique, the dissociative photoionization of N(2)O molecule via the C(2)Σ(+) ionic state has been investigated. Four fragment ions, NO(+), N(2)(+), O(+), and N(+), are observed, respectively, and the NO(+) and N(+) ions are always dominant in the whole excitation energy range of the C(2)Σ(+) ionic state. Subsequently, the TPEPICO three-dimensional time-sliced velocity images of NO(+) dissociated from the vibrational state-selected N(2)O(+)(C(2)Σ(+)) ions have been recorded. Thus the kinetic and internal energy distributions of the NO(+) fragments have been obtained directly as the bimodal distributions, suggesting that the NO(+) fragments are formed via both NO(+)(X(1)Σ(+)) + N((2)P) and NO(+)(X(1)Σ(+)) + N((2)D) dissociation channels. Almost the same vibrational population reversions are identified for both dissociation pathways. Interestingly, the obtained branching ratios of the two channels exhibit some dependence on the excited vibrational mode for N(2)O(+)(C(2)Σ(+)), in which the excited asymmetrical stretching potentially promotes dissociation possibility along the NO(+)(X(1)Σ(+)) + N((2)D) pathway. In addition, the measured anisotropic parameters of NO(+) are close to 0.5, indicating that the C(2)Σ(+) state of N(2)O(+) is fully predissociative, indeed, with a tendency of parallel dissociation, and therefore, the corresponding predissociation mechanisms for the N(2)O(+)(C(2)Σ(+)) ions are depicted.     

Biotransformation of the sesquiterpene (+)-valencene by cytochrome P450cam and P450BM-3

The sesquiterpenoids are a large class of naturally occurring compounds with biological functions and desirable properties. Oxidation of the sesquiterpene (+)-valencene by wild type and mutants of P450cam from Pseudomonas putida, and of P450BM-3 from Bacillus megaterium, have been investigated as a potential route to (+)-nootkatone, a fine fragrance. Wild type P450cam did not oxidise (+)-valencene but the mutants showed activities up to 9.8 nmol (nmol P450)(-1) min(-1), with (+)-trans-nootkatol and (+)-nootkatone constituting >85% of the products. Wild type P450BM-3 and mutants had higher activities (up to 43 min(-1)) than P450cam but were much less selective. Of the many products, cis- and trans-(+)-nootkatol, (+)-nootkatone, cis-(+)-valencene-1,10-epoxide, trans-(+)-nootkaton-9-ol, and (+)-nootkatone-13S,14-epoxide were isolated from whole-cell reactions and characterised. The selectivity patterns suggest that (+)-valencene has one binding orientation in P450cam but multiple orientations in P450BM-3.     

The first stereoselective synthesis of (+)-nuciferol and (+)-nuciferal

Using (S)-benzyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether (1), the first stereoselective synthesis of (+)-nuciferol (14) and (+)-nuciferal (16) has been achieved. Employing the same methodology an enantioselective synthesis of (+)--curcumene (17) is also described.