Photochemische Umsetzung von optisch aktiven 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilinen mit Methanol

Photochemical Reaction of Optically Active 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilines with Methanol It is shown that (?)-(S)-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 4 ) on irradiation in methanol yields (?)-(2S, 3R)-2, 3-dimethylindoline ((?)-trans- 8 ), (?)-(1′R, 2′R)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl)aniline ((?)-erythro- 9 ) as well as racemic (1′RS, 2′SR)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl) aniline ((±)-threo- 9 ) in 27.1, 36.4 and 15.7% yield, respectively (see Scheme 3). By deamination and chemical correlation with (+)-(2R, 3R)-3-phenyl-2-butanol ((+)-erythro- 13 ; see Scheme 4) it was found that (?)-erythro- 9 has the same absolute configuration and optical purity as the starting material (?)-(S)- 4 . Comparable results are obtained when (?)-(S)-N-methyl-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 7 ) is irradiated in methanol, i.e. the optically active indoline (+)-trans- 10 and the methanol addition product (?)-erythro- 11 along with its racemic threo-isomer are formed (cf. Scheme 3). These findings demonstrate that the methanol addition products arise from stereospecific, methanol-induced ring opening of intermediate, chiral trans, -(→(?)-erythro-compounds) and achiral cis-spiro [2.5]octa-4,6-dien-8-imines (→(±)-threo-compounds; see Schemes 1 and 2).     

Circular Dichroism of Tricarbonyl(diene)iron Complexes. The Octant Rule Applied to Ketones Perturbed by Remote Fe(CO)3 Groups. Crystal Structure of (±)-Tricarbonyl[(1RS,4RS,5RS,6SR)-C5,6,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron

The preparation and the CD spectra of optically pure (+)-trans-μ-[(1R,4S,5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C -η : C,7,8,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo [2.2.2]octanone)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((+)- 7 ) and (+)-tricarbonyl[(1S,4S,5S,6R)-C-5,6,C-η-(5,6,7,8,-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron ((+)- 8 ), and of its 3-deuterated derivatives (+)-trans-μ-[(1R,3R,4S,5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C-η : C,7,8,C-η-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]-(octanone)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((+)- 11 ) and (+)-tricarbonyl[(1S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-C-5,6,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron ((+)- 12 ) are reported. The chirality in (+)- 7 and (+)- 8 is due to the Fe(CO)₃ moieties uniquely. The signs of the Cotton effects observed for (+)- 7 and (+)- 8 obey the octant rule (ketone n→π*_CO transition). Optically pure (?)-3R-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ((?)- 10 ) was prepared. Its CD spectrum showed an ‘anti-octant’ behaviour for the ketone n→π*_CO transition of the deuterium substituent. The CD spectra of the alcoholic derivatives (?)-trans-μ-[(1R,2R,4S, 5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C-η : C,7,8,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((?)- 2 ) and (?)-tricarbonyl- [(1S,2R,4S,5S,6R)- C,5,6,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol)]iron ((?)- 3 ) and of the 3-denterated derivatives (?)- 5 and (?)- 6 are also reported. The CD spectra of the complexes (?)- 2 , (?)- 3 , (+)- 7 , and (+)- 8 were solvent and temperature dependent. The ‘endo’-configuration of the Fe(CO)₃ moiety in (±)- 8 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Die Stereochemie der Irone

The 6 R configuration of (+)-cis-γ-irone [(+)- 4 ] was established by chemical correlation with (—)-camphor. (+)-cis-γ-irone [(+)- 4 ] was converted into (+)-cis-α-irone [(+)- 1 ], (?)-trans-α-irone [(minus;;)- 2 ], and (+)-β-irone [(+)- 3 ], which therefore also have the 6 R configuration. The 2 S configurations of (+)-cis-α-irone [(+)- 1 ] and (+)-trans-α-irone [(+)- 2 ] were determined by comparison of their circular dichroism with that of R-α-ionone [(+)- 5 ]. The 2 S configuration of (+)-cis-γ-irone [(+)- 4 ] was established by chemical correlation with (+)-cis-α-irone [(+)- 1 ].     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of (−)-(E)-α-trans-Bergamotenone

The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (?)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (?)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (?)- 1 ), as well as its homologue (?)- 19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (?)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (?)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (?)- 2 ), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (?)- 3a,b and alcohols (?)- 4a,b , have been rigorously assigned.     

Synthese und Chiralität der stereoisomeren Achillene,Achillenole und Hymentherene

(+)-cis-Achillene ( 10 ) and (?)-trans-achillenol (7), two monoterpenes recently isolated [1] from the essential oil of Achilleafilipendulina, were synthesized, together with their stereoisomers (?)-(9) and (+)-(8), starting from (S)-(+)-2,6-trans-dimethylocta-1,3, 7-triene ( 1 ). The isomeric ß-hymen thereties ((?)- 3 and (+)-4), often quoted [2] [3] [4] but never isolated, were obtained as intermediates. The mode of synthesis chosen establishesis (R)-chirality for naturally occurring (?)-trans-achillenol (7) and (+)-cis-achillene ( 10 ) as well as for the purely synthetic 4, 7-diene derivatives described in this paper.     

Circulardichroismus. 62. Mitteilung. Chiroptische Eigenschaften einiger Trimethylcyclohexen-Derivate: Die Jonone,Irone und Abszisinsäuren

The absolute configuration of (+)-α-ionone 3 (R), the absolute configurations at C(6) of (+)-cis-α-irone 5 (6S) and (?)-trans-α-irone 6 (6R), and the absolute configurations of (+)-cis-abscisic acid 10 (S) and (+)-trans-abscisic acid 11 (S) are deduced from the CD.-spectra.     

Synthesis of (5R)- and (5S)-5-Methyl-5, 6-dihydrouridine Derivatives

The hydrogenation of 2′, 3′-O-isopropylidene-5-methyluridine (1) in water over 5% Rh/Al₂O₃ gave (5 R)- and (5 S)-5-methyl-5, 6-dihydrouridine (2) , separated as 5′-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)- (3) and 5′-O-benzoyl- (5) derivatives by preparative TLC. on silica gel and ether/hexane developments. The diastereoisomeric differentiation at the C(5) chiral centre depends upon the reaction media and the nature of the protecting group attached to the ribosyl moiety. The synthesis of iodo derivatives (5 R)- and (5 S)- 4 is also described. The diastereoisomers 4 were converted into (5 R)- and (5 S)-2′, 3′,-O-isopropylidene-5-methyl-2, 5′-anhydro-5, 6-dihydrouridine (7) .     

Total Syntheses of (−)-Conduritol B ((−)-1L-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,3/2,4-tetrol) and of (+)-Conduritol F((+)-1D-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,2,4/3-tetrol). Determination of the Absolute Configuration of (+)-Leucanthemito

The ‘naked sugar’ (+)-(1R,2R4R)-2-endo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-sn-2-exo-yl acetate ((+)- 4 ) was converted (7 steps, 45% overall) with high stereoselectivity into (?)-(4R,5S,6R)-4,5,6-tris{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}cyclohex-2-en-1-one ((?)- 11 ). Reduction of (?)- 1 with NaBH₄- CeCl₃ · 7 H₂O, followed by deprotection of the silyl ether moieties gave (+)-conduritol F ((+)- 1 ; 47%) whose characteristics were identical to those of natural (+)-leucanthemitol. Reduction of (?)- 11 with DIBAH, followed by deprotection of the silyl ether moiety led to (?)-conduritol B ((?)- 3 ; 51 %).     

Enantiomerically pure 7-oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-zyl derivatives as synthetic intermediates. Part III. Total synthesis of D- and L-ribose derivatives

Enantiomerically pure methyl 5-bromo-5-deoxy-2,3-O- isopropylidene-β-D - (D - 5b ) and -β-l-ribofuranoside (l- 5b ) have been derived from (?)-(1R,2S,4R)-2-exo-cyano-7-oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-endo,-yl (1′S)-camphanate ( 1 ) and (+)-(1S,2R,4S)-2-exo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl(1′R)-camphanate ( 2 ), respectively, in 5 synthetic steps and 28% overall yield. Hydrolysis of D-5b and L - 5b afforded methyl 2,3-O isopropylidene-β-D -ribofuranoside (D -5a) and methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene β-L-ribofuranoside (L-5a), respectively. The intermediate (+)-(1R,4R,5R,6R) 5-exo,6-exo-(isopropylidenedioxy)- 7 -oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)- 7 ) and its enantiomer(–)-7 were also obtained enantiomerically pure by resolution of (=)- 7 by the Johnson-Zeller method. In bothe approaches, the chiral auxiliaries ((–)- and (+)-camphanic acids, or (+)-(S)-N,S-dimethyl-S-phenylsulfoximide) were recovered at an early stage of the synthesis.     

Synthesis of Polypropionate Fragments Containing Tertiary-Alcohol Moieties. Cross-aldolisations with lithium enolates of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one derivatives

The Diels-Alder adduct of 2,4-dimethylfuran to 1-cyanovinyl (1′R)-camphanate ((+)-(1R,2S,4R)-2-exo-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl (1′R)-camphanate ((+)- 1 )) was converted into (+)-2,7-dideoxy-2,4-di-C-methyl-L -glycero- ((+)- 6 ) and -D -glycero-L -altro-heptono-1,4-lactone ((+)- 7 ), into (?)-(3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4:5,7-bis(isopropylidenedioxy)-4,6-dimethylheptan-2-one ((?)- 22 ), and into (+)-(2R,3R,4R,5S,6S)-3,4:5,6-bis(isopropylidenedioxy)-2,4-dimethylheptanal ((+)- 34 ). Condensation of ((+)- 34 with the lithium enolate of (?)-(1R,4R,5S,6R)-6-exo-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1] heptan-2-one ((?)- 38 ; derived from (+)- 1 ) gave a 3:2 mixture of aldols (+)- 39 and (+)- 40 (mismatched pairs of a α-methyl-substituted aldehyde and (E)-enolate) whereas the reaction of (±)- 34 with (±)- 38 gave a 10:1 mixture of aldols (±)- 41 and (±)- 39 . A single aldol, (?)- 44 , was obtained to condensing (+)- 34 with the lithium enolate of (+)-(1S,4S,5S,6S)-5-exo-(benzyloxy)-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)- 43 ; derived from (?)-(1S,2R,4S)-2-exo-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl (1′S)-camphanate ((?)- 3 )). All these cross-aldolisations are highly exo-face selective for the bicyclic ketones. The best stereochemical matching is obtained when the lithium enolates and α-methyl-substituted aldehydes can realize a ‘chelated transition state’ that obeys the Cram and Felkin-Anh models (steric effects). Polypropionate fragments containing eleven contiguous stereogenic centres and tertiary-alcohol moieties are thus prepared with high stereoselectivity in a convergent fashion. The chiral auxiliaries ((1R)- and (1S)-camphanic acid) are recovered at the beginning of the syntheses.     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of Some Iris Essential Oil Constituents of the 5-methylsafranic-acid series

The β-dienoate (+)-(5S)- 13a (86% ee; meaning of α and β as in α- and β-irone, resp.) was obtained from (?)-(5S)- 9a via acid-catalyzed dehydration of the diastereoisomer mixture of allylic tertiary alcohols (+)-(1S,5S)- 15 /(+)-(1R,5S)- 15 (Scheme 3). Prolonged treatment gave clean isomerization via a [1,5]-H shift to the α-isomer (?)-(R)- 16a with only slight racemization (76% ee; Scheme 4). In contrast, the SnCl₄-catalyzed stereospecific cyclization of (+)-(Z)- 6 to (?)-trans- 8a (Scheme 2), followed by a diastereoselective epoxidation to (+)- 11 gave, via acid-catalyzed dehydration of the intermediate allylic secondary alcohol (?)- 12 , the same ester (+)- 13a (Scheme 3), but with poor optical purity (13% ee), due to an initial rapid [1,2]-H shift. The absolute configuration of (?)- 16a–c was confirmed by chemical correlation with (?)-trans- 19 (Scheme 4). ¹³C-NMR Assignments and absolute configurations of the intermediate esters, acids, aldehydes, and alcohols are presented.     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. V. Synthese von (3R, 3′R)-, (3S, 3′S)- und (3R,3′S; meso)-Zeaxanthin durch asymmetrische Hydroborierung. Ein neuer Zugang zu Optisch aktiven Carotinoidbausteinen. Vorläufige Mitteilung

Synthesis of Optically Active Natural Carotenoids and Structurally Related Compounds. V. Synthesis of (3R, 3′R)-, (3S, 3′S)- and (3R,3′S; meso)-zeaxanthin by Asymmetric Hydroboration. A New Approach to Optically Active Carotenoid Building Units The synthesis of (3R, 3′R)-, (3S, 3′S)- and (3R,3′S; meso)-zeaxanthin ( 1 ), ( 19 ) and ( 21 ) is reported utilizing asymmetric hydroboration as the key reaction. Thus, safranol isopropenylmethylether ( 4 ) is hydroborated with (+)- and (?)-(IPC)₂BH to give the optically pure key intermediates 5 and 7 resp., which are transformed into the above-mentioned C₄₀-compounds.     

Metabolism of carotenoids in salmonids. Part 2. Distribution and absolute configuration of idoxanthin in various organs and tissues of one atlantic salmon (Salmo salar,L.) fed with astaxanthin

The content of total carotenoids and the ratio astaxanthin/idoxanthin ( = 3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione/3,3′,4′-trihydroxy-β,β-caroten-4-one) in varoius organs and tissues of one Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.) reared indoors in a tank were analyzed after feeding ‘racemic’ ((3R,3′R)/(3R,3′S; meso)/(3S,3′S) 1:2:) astaxanthin (90 mg/kg feed) during one yera. Configurational analysis of astaxanthin was carried out via the (?)-dicamphanate derivative and that of idoxanthin after reaction with (+)-(S)-l-(l-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate. Separation of all eight optical isomers of idoxanthin-tricarbamate derivatives by HPLC is described. In salmon, enzymatic reduction of astaxanthin was found to be sterospecific leading to th (4′R)-hydroxy group irrespective of the configuration at C(3′), thus resulting in four different stereoisomers of idoxanthin formed from (3R,3′R), (3R,3′S; meso)-, and (3S3′S)-astaxanthin present in the diet.     

Stereospecific syntheses of all four stereoisomers of 4-fluoroglutamic acid

(+)- -threo-4-Fluoroglutamic acid [(+)-(2S, 4S)-fluoroglutamic acid] has been synthesizedstarting with the natural (−)-4-trans-hydroxy- -proline. Its acetylation at nitrogen followedby esterification with diazomethane afforded methyl 1-acetyl-trans-4-hydroxy- -prolinatewhich was converted to methyl 1-acetyl-cis-4-fluoro- -prolinate by means of diethylaminosulfurtrifluoride (DAST) or 2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluorotriethylamine. The mixture wasoxidized by ruthenium tetroxide to methyl 1-acetyl-cis-4-fluoro- -pyrrolidin-5-one-2-carboxylate,whose acid hydrolysis yielded the title compound. A similar sequence of reactionsconverted cis-4-hydroxy- -proline to (−)- -erythro-4-fluoroglutamic acid [(−)(2R, 4S)-fluoroglutamic acid]. (−)- -threo-4-Fluoroglutamic acid [(−)-(2R, 4R)-floroglutamicacid] was prepared analogously from trans-4-hydroxy- -proline, obtained from its diastereomerby inversion of configuration at carbon 4 of the pyrrolidine ring using thediethyl azodicarboxylate-triphenylphosphine procedure. cis-4-Hydroxy- -proline, necessaryfor the synthesis of (+)- -erythro-4-fluoroglutamic acid [(+)-(2S, 4R)-fluoroglutamicacid], was prepared from trans-4-hydroxy- -proline by benzyloxycarbonylation at thenitrogen, oxidation of the 1-benzyloxycarbonyl-trans-4-hydroxy- -proline to 1-benzyloxy-carbonyl-4-oxo- -proline, its reduction to 1-benzyloxycarbonyl-cis-4-hydroxy- -proline anddeprotection of the latter at the nitrogen. (−)-cis-4-Fluoro- -proline and (+)-trans-4-fluoro- -proline were isolated after the hydrolysis of incompletely oxidized methyl 1-acetyl-cis-4-fluoro- -prolinate and methyl 1-acetyl-trans-4-fluoro- -prolinate, respectively.     

Mammalian Alkaloids: Configurations of Optically Active Salsoline- and 3′,4′-Dideoxynorlaudanosoline-1-carboxylic Acids

Synthesis of the optical isomers of (±)-methyl 6,7-dimethyl-3′,4′-dideoxynorlaudanosoline-1-carboxylate ((±)- 2 ) was accomplished by reaction of (±)- 2 with (+)-(R)-1-phenylethyl isocyanate, separation of the urea diastereoisomers (?)- 4A and (+)- 4B , and alcoholysis of the ureas in refluxing BuOH. Optically active isoquinoline-carboxylates 2A , B and hydantoins 8A , B isolated were characterized. The absolute configuration of the reaction products was established by X-ray analysis of the optically active hydantoin (+)- 8A . Hydrolysis of the methyl isoquinolinecarboxylates 2A , B with 48% HBr soln. at reflux afforded the desired optically active 3′,4′-dideoxynorlaudanosoline-1-carboxylic acids 1A , B required for enzyme-inhibition studies. Details of the X-ray diffraction analysis of (+)-methyl salsoline-1-carboxylate hydrobromide ((+)- 11A ·HBr) prepared earlier are included. CD spectra of (+)-(S)-methyl 6,7-dimethyl-3′,4′-dideoxynorlaudanosoline-1-carboxylate hydrobromide ((+)- 2A . HBr) and (?)-(R)-methyl salsoline-1-carboxylate hydrochloride ((?)- 11B ·HCl) confirmed the assignment of their (S)- and (R)-configurations, respectively.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 3- Azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane Alkaloids

The stereospecific synthesis of the monoterpene alkaloids (?)-α-skytanthine ((?)- 2 ), (?)-N -demethyle-δ-sky-tanthine((?)- 7 ), and (+)-epidihydrotecomanine (+)- 4 was achieved from a common intermediate 22 , which in turn was obtained from (1R,4S,1′S)-2-(1′-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene (10) ,via a ketene aza-Claisen rearrangement. The piperidine derivative (+)- 31 , formally the aza-analogue of (+)-isoiridomyrmecin, was also obtained from the same intermediate 22 .     

Synthesis of(+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-Irone and of(-)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-Irone

A 3:1 mixture of (+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-irone ((+)-1) and (?)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-irone (?)-2) has been synthesized with ca. 70% e. e. by the ene reaction of (?)-(S)-3 and but-3-yn-2-one.     

Biosynthesis of isotetrandrine

The incorporation of (±)-coclaurine, (±)-N-methylcoclaurine, didehydro-N-methylcoclaurinium iodide, (+)-(S)-N-methylcoclaurine and (?)-(R)-N-methylcoclaurine into isotetrandrine in Cocculus laurifolius DC has been studied and specific utilization of (±)-, (+)-(S)- and (?)-R-N-methylcoclaurines and didehydro-N-methylcoclaurinium iodide demonstrated. The evidence supports intermolecular oxidative coupline of (+)-(S)- and (?)-(R)-N-methylcoclaurines to form isotetrandrine. Double labelling experiment with (±)-N- [¹⁴C] methyl [1 - ³H] coclaurine demonstrated that the hydrogen atom at the asymmetric centre in N-methylcoclaurine is retained in the bioconversion into isotetrandrine.     

Proof of the Absolute Configuration of (−)-(S)-2-Hydroxy-β-ionone by correlation with ursolic acid and with (−)-trans-verbenol

(?)-(S)-2-Hydroxy-β-ionone ( 33 ), (+)-(2 S, 6 S)-2-hydroxy-α-ionone ( 34 ), and their acetates 35 and 36 have been synthesized from (+)-(S)-6-methylbicyclo [4.3.0]-non-1-ene-3, 7-dione ( 3 ). The key intermediate (+)-(1 R, 3 S, 6 S)-2, 2, 6-trimethyl-7-oxobicyclo [4.3.0]non-3-yl acetate ( 7 ) was correlated with a degradation product of the pentacyclic triterpene ursolic acid ( 16 ). Compound 33 was also synthesized by an alternative route starting from (?)-trans-verbenol ( 42 ).     

Synthesis of the Bretonins,Polyolefinic Esterified Glyceryl Ethers of an Unidentified Sponge from the North-Brittany Sea: Absolute Configuration and Novel Structure Assignment

The absolute configurations of acetylated bretonin A (= (+}-( R )-1-[(acetoxy)methyl]-2-{[(4E,6E,8E)-dodeca-4,6,8-trienyl]oxy}ethyl 4-acetoxybenzoate; (?)- 1b ) and isobretonin A (= (+)-(S)-3-{[(4E,6E,8E)-do-deca-4,6,8-trienyl]oxy}-2-hydroxypropyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; (+)-2), previously isolated from an undetermined sponge of the North Brittany sea, were established by comparison with synthetic (+)- lb and (+)- 2 , obtained from the condensation of commerical (?)-(R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl p-toluenesuifonate ((?)-(R)- 15 ) with a mixture of (4E,6E,8E)- ( 14e ) and (4E,6Z,8E)-dodeca-4,6,8-trien-1-ol ( 14z ). This also allowed confirming the structure and configuration of bretonin B (= (S)-2-{[(4E,6Z,8E)-dodeca-4,6,8-trienyl]oxy}-1-(hydroxy-methyl)ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; 3 ) which was also isolated from the same sponge, albeit in a too small amount for a complete study. As concerns the glyceryl ethers precursors of the bretonins, co-occurrence of the usual (S)-con-figuration (from 1a ) with the unusual (R)-configuration (from (+)- 2 )) poses intriguing biogenetic problems.