(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 .     

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.     

Reduktion von 1,2-bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzol: Synthese von Cyclotrisazobenzol ( = (5E,6aZ,11E,12aZ,17E,18aZ)-5,6,11,12,17,18-Hexaazatribenzo[aei][1,3,5,7,9,11]cyclododeca-hexaen)

Reduction of 1,2-Bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzene¹: Synthesis of Cyclotrisazobenzene ( = (5E,6aZ,11E,12aZ,17E,18aZ)-5,6,11,12,17,18-Hexaazatribenzo[aei][1,3,5,7,9,11]cyclododeca-hexaene) Na₂S reduction of 1,2-bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzene ( 2 ) yielded 3 deoxygenated products: the (known) red 2,2′-((E,E)-1,2-phenylenbisazo)dianiline ( 3 , 23%), the orange 2-[2-((E)-2-aminophenylazo)phenyl]-2H-benzotriazol ( 4 , 55%) and the colorless 2,2′-(1,2-phenylene)di-2H-benzotriazol ( 5 , 13%). The constitutions of 3 – 5 and of 6 , the N-acetyl derivative of 4 , were deduced from their ¹H-NMR spectra (chemical shifts, couplings, and symmetry properties), and the configurations of 3 , 4 , and 6 at their N,N-double bonds are assumed to be the same as in 2 . Oxidation of 3 with 2 mol-equiv. of Pb(OAc)₄ afforded 5 (47%) and a novel, highly symmetrical macrocycle, called cyclotrisazobenzene ( 7 , 24%). The constitution of 7 as a tribenzo-hexaaza[12]annulene and its (E)-configuration at the N,N-bonds was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The molecular symmetry expressed by the ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-NMR spectra of 7 reveals a rapid torsional motion around the six N,C bonds. This implies that the N,N-double bonds in the cyclic 12π-electron system (or 24π-electron system if the benzene rings are included) of 7 are highly localized.     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of (all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin

(all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6S,3′R)‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,5,6,3′‐tetrol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products, i.e. (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), (13′Z)‐ ( 5 ), and (15Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 6 ), were determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra. In addition, (9Z,13′Z)‐ or (13Z,9′Z)‐ ( 7 ), (9Z,9′Z)‐ ( 8 ), and (9Z,13Z)‐ or (9′Z,13′Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 9 ) were tentatively identified as minor products of the I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization.     

Stereoselektive Totalsynthese von natürlichem Phytol und Phytolderivaten und deren Verwendung zur Herstellung von natürlichem Vitamin K1

Steroselective Total Synthesis of Natural Phytol and Derivatives thereof; Use of these Compounds in the Synthesis of Natural Vitamin K₁ The Li₂CuCl₄-catalyzed couplings of the easily accessible bifunctional C₅ allylic acetates (E)- 18a and (E)- 18b with racemic hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide ((3 RS/RS, 7 RS/SR)- 19a ) proceed with high chemo- and stereoselectivity (≥98% (E)-retention) to give the (2E, 7 RS/RS, 11 RS/SR)-phytol derivatives 1a and 1b , respectively, in yields of 72–80% (Scheme 5). The same couplings performed with optically active hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide (3 R, 7 R)- 19a yielded the (E)-phytol derivatives of the natural series (7 R, 11R)- 1a and (7 R, 11 R)- 1b. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of(2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1b gave natural phytol((2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1c ) Friedel-Crafts alkylation of ‘menadiol monobenzoate’ 11b with (2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1a or (2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1b gave the dihydrovitamine K₁ derivative (2 E/Z, 7′ R, 11′R)- 12b ((E/Z)≈? 9:l). Conversion of configurationally pure (2 E, 7′ R, 11′ R)- 12b (yield 73%; obtained after chromatographic removal of the (Z)-isomer) into natural vitamine K₁ ((2 E,7′ R, 11′ R)- 2 ) was achieved in the usual way by saponification and oxidation with air. Some further investigations of the coupling reactions of bifunctional C₅ allylic synthons with hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide (3 RS/RS, 7 RS/SR)- 19a showed the outcome of these reactions to be critically dependent on the nature of the leaving group, the double-bond geometry and the nature and concentration of the catalyst. Thus, the Li₂CuCl₄-catalyzed couplings of (3 RS/RS,7 RS/SR)- 19a with the allylic halides 29a and 29c as well as with p-toluenesulfonate 29b yielded besides the phytol derivatives 1a and 1b - also the S_N2′-type products 30a and 30b (Scheme 8, Table 2); the same result was found for the coupling with the cis-configurated allylic acetates (Z)- 18a and (Z)- 18b (Table 3). A similar loss of chemo selectivity as well as the loss of stereoselectivity in the coupling reactions of 19 with the bifunctional (E)-olefins of type 18 was observed when the Li₂CuCl₄-catalyst concentration was increased from 0.2 to 25 mol-% or upon substitution of Li₂CuCl₄ by copper (I) chloride or iodide (Table 4).     

Four (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐alkoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐trienes

The crystal structures of the four E,Z,E isomers of 1‐(4‐alk­oxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, namely (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐methoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₁₉H₁₇NO₃, (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐ethoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₀H₁₉NO₃, (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐n‐propoxyphen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₁H₂₁NO₃, and (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐n‐butoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₂H₂₃NO₃, have been determined. Inter­molecular N⋯O dipole inter­actions between the nitro groups are observed for the meth­oxy derivative, while for the eth­oxy derivative, two adjacent mol­ecules are linked at both ends through N⋯O dipole–dipole inter­actions between the N atom of the nitro group and the O atom of the eth­oxy group to form a supra­molecular ring‐like structure. In the crystal structures of the n‐prop­oxy and n‐but­oxy derivatives, the shortest inter­molecular distances are those between the two O atoms of the alk­oxy groups. Thus, the nearest two mol­ecules form an S‐shaped supra­molecular dimer in these crystal structures.     

Preparation and Characterization of N,N′-Dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminium Chlorides,N,N′-Dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdimines,and Lithium N,N′-Dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminates

We describe convenient preparations of N,N′-dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminium chlorides, N,N′-dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdimines, and lithium N,N′-dialkyl-1,3-propanedialdiminates in which the alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butyl. For the dialdiminium salts, the N₂C₃ backbone is always in the trans-s-trans configuration. Three isomers are present in solution except for the tert-butyl compound, for which only two isomers are present; increasing the steric bulk of the N-alkyl substituents shifts the equilibrium away from the (Z,Z) isomer in favor of the (E,Z), and (E,E) isomers. For the neutral dialdimines, crystal structures show that the methyl and isopropyl compounds adopt the (E,Z) form, whereas the tert-butyl compound is in the (E,E) form. In aprotic solvents all four dialdimines (as well as the lithium dialdiminate salts) adopt cis-s-cis conformations in which there presumably is either an intramolecular hydrogen bond (or a lithium cation) between the two nitrogen atoms.     

Strukturelle Abwandlungen am Vitamin D3. 3. Mitteilung [1]. Synthese und eigenschaften von SO2-addukten des (5Z)- und (5E)-vitamins D3

Structural Modifications of Vitamin D₃. Synthesis and Properties of the SO₂-Adducts with (5 Z )- and (5 E )-Vitamin D₃ Treatment of (5Z)- and (5E)-vitamin D₃ ( 4 ) with sulfur dioxide yields each quantitatively the cyclic sulfones 1a and 1b . Thermally induced elimination of sulfur dioxide leads to either isotachysterol₃ ( 3 ) alone or mixtures of isotachysterol₃ ( 3 ) and isovitamin D₃ ( 2 ). On the other hand the extrusion of SO₂ can be brought about by means of KOH/CH₃OH or on an alumina surface affording (5E)-vitamin D₃ ( 4 ). On treatment with CD₃UD/tBuOK/D₂O 1a and 1b are transformed (5E)-6, 19, 19′-trideuteriovitamin D₃ ( 4a ).     

Z/E‐Isomerism of 3‐[4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl]‐2‐(2,4,6‐tribromophenyl)acrylonitrile: crystal structures and secondary intermolecular interactions

The Z and E isomers of 3‐[4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl]‐2‐(2,4,6‐tribromophenyl)acrylonitrile, C₁₇H₁₃Br₃N₂, ( 1 ), were obtained simultaneously by a Knoevenagel condensation between 4‐(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde and 2‐(2,4,6‐tribromophenyl)acetonitrile, and were investigated by X‐ray diffraction and density functional theory (DFT) quantum‐chemical calculations. The (Z)‐( 1 ) isomer is monoclinic (space group P2₁/n, Z′ = 1), whereas the (E)‐( 1 ) isomer is triclinic (space group P, Z′ = 2). The two crystallographically‐independent molecules of (E)‐( 1 ) adopt similar geometries. The corresponding bond lengths and angles in the two isomers of ( 1 ) are very similar. The difference in the calculated total energies of isolated molecules of (Z)‐( 1 ) and (E)‐( 1 ) with DFT‐optimized geometries is ∼4.47 kJ mol⁻¹, with the minimum value corresponding to the Z isomer. The crystal structure of (Z)‐( 1 ) reveals strong intermolecular nonvalent Br…N [3.100 (2) and 3.216 (3) Å] interactions which link the molecules into layers parallel to (10). In contrast, molecules of (E)‐( 1 ) in the crystal are bound to each other by strong nonvalent Br…Br [3.5556 (10) Å] and weak Br…N [3.433 (4) Å] interactions, forming chains propagating along [110]. The crystal packing of (Z)‐( 1 ) is denser than that of (E)‐( 1 ), implying that the crystal structure realized for (Z)‐( 1 ) is more stable than that for (E)‐( 1 ).     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 118. Mitteilung [1] Zur vinylogen β-Spaltung von Enonen. UV.-Bestrahlung von 4-(3',7',7'-Trimethyl-2'-oxabicyclo [3.2.0]hept-3'-en-1'-yl)but-3-en-2-on

Vinylogous β-Cleavage of Enones: UV.-irradiation of 4-(3′,7′,7′-trimethyl-2′-oxabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3′-ene-1′-yl)but-3-ene-2-on On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) in acetonitrile (E/Z)- 2 is converted into the isomers 4–9 and undergoes fragmentation yielding 10 ; in methanol (E/Z)- 2 gives 7–10 and is transformed into 11 by incorporation of the solvent. On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ λ?347 nm; benzene-d₆) (E)- 2 is isomerized into (Z)- 2 , which is converted into the isomers 3 and 4 by further irradiation. ¹π,π*-Excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) of 4 gives 6 and (E)- 9 , whereas UV.-irradiation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile-d₃) of 5 yields (E)- 7 and 8 . On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) of (E/Z)- 12 the compounds (E)- 14 and (E)- 15 are obtained.     

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.     

Superheteroaromaten mit Furan‐Bausteinen: Isomere antiaromatische Tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) und aromatische Tetraoxa[34]porphyrin(6.4.6.4)‐Dikationen

Superheteroaromatic Systems with Furan Building Blocks: Isomeric Antiaromatic Tetraepoxy[36]annulenes(6.4.6.4) and Aromatic Tetraoxa[34]porphyrin(6.4.6.4) Dications The title compounds are available by a twofold cyclizing Wittig reaction of (all‐E)‐3,3′‐(hexa‐1,3,5‐triene‐1,6‐diyldifuran‐5,2‐diyl)bis[prop‐2‐enal] ( 4 ) with (all‐E)‐(hexa‐1,3,5‐triene‐1,6‐diyl)bis(furan‐5,2‐diylmethylene)bis[triphenylphosphonium] dibromide ( 7 ). Two conformational isomers 2a / 2a ′ of (Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E,E,E,E)‐tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) are obtained. The oxidation of 2a / 2a ′ yields two (E,E,Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E,E)‐tetraoxa[34]porphyrin(6.4.6.4) dications 3a / 3a ′, which are conformers, too. The oxidation of 2a / 2a ′ is accompanied by the isomerization of four ethen‐1,2‐diyl bridges. The reduction of the dications 3a / 3a ′ leads to the new (E,E,Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E,E)‐tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) ( 2b ) and (E,E,E,Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E)‐tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) ( 2c ). In 2b as well as in 2c , both 1,3‐butadiene‐1,4‐diyl bridges are rotating until −90°. The Δδ values, i.e., the maximum δ difference of the `inner' and `outer' perimeter protons of 3a / 3a ′ (26.62 and 25.32 ppm) are of the same size as the Δδ value of the tetramethyl[34]porphyrin(5.5.5.5) dication ( 1 ; Δδ=25.3 ppm); therefore, they might be called `superheteroaromatic' too. The Δδ values of the tetraepoxy[36]annulenes(6.4.6.4) ( 2a – c ; Δδ=2.3 – 3.3 ppm) establish that they are still paratropic; they represent the most expanded antiaromatic systems yet known.     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of 3′‐Epilutein

3′‐Epilutein (=(all‐E,3R,3′S,6′R)‐4′,5′‐didehydro‐5′,6′‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol; 1 ), isolated from the flowers of Caltha palustris, was submitted to both thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products (9Z)‐ 1 , (9′Z)‐ 1 , (13Z)‐ 1 , (13′Z)‐ 1 , (15Z)‐ 1 , and (9Z,9′Z)‐ 1 were determined based on UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and MS data.     

Azimine. V.. Untersuchungen zur stereoisomerie an der N(2), N(3)-bindung von 2, 3-dialkyl-1-phthalimido-aziminen

Azimines. V. Investigation on the Stereoisomerism Around the N (2), N (3) Bond in 2, 3-Dialkyl-1-phthalimido-azimines 2, 3-(cis-1, 3-Cyclopentylene)-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 7 ) and isomerically pure (2 Z)- and (2 E)-2, 3-diisopropyl-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 9a and 9b ) were prepared by the addition of phthalimido-nitrene ( 1 ) to 2, 3-diazabicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 6 ) and to (E)- and (Z)-1, 1′-dimethylazoethane ( 8a and 8b ), respectively. Comparison of their UV. spectra with those of two stereoisomeric azimines of known configuration, namely (1 E, 2 Z)- and (1 Z, 2 E)-2, 3-dimethyl-1-phthalimido-azimine ( 5a and 5b ), reveals that 2, 3-dialkyl-1-phthalimido-azimines with (2 Z)-configuration are characterized by a shoulder at about 258 nm (? ≈? 14,000) and those with (2 E)-configuration by a maximum at 270–278 nm (? ≈? 10,000). The (2 E)-azimine 9b isomerizes under acid catalysis as well as thermally and photochemically into the more stable (2 Z)-isomer 9a . Under the last two conditions the isomerization is accompanied by a slower fragmentation with loss of nitrogen into N, N′-diisopropyl-N, N′-phthaloylhydrazine ( 4 , R = iso-C₃H₇). The same fragmentation was also observed on thermolysis and photolysis of the (2 Z)-isomer 9a . The kinetic parameters for the thermal isomerization of 9b (they fit first-order plots) and for the fragmentation of 9a and 9b were determined by ¹H-NMR. spectroscopy in benzene, trichloromethane and acetonitrile. In the photolysis of 9a or 9b the fragmentation is accompanied by dissociation into the azo compounds 8a or 8b and the nitrene 1 , the latter being subject to trapping by cyclohexene. With the azimine 7 , an analogous thermal fragmentation was observed to give N, N′-(cis-1, 3-cyclo-pentylene)-N, N′-phthaloylhydrazine ( 15 ), but more energetic conditions were required than with 9 . Photolysis of 7 led exclusively to dissociation into the azo compound 6 and the nitrene 1 , perhaps because the fragmentation of 7 is prevented by ring strain.     

Aromatische sigmatropische Wasserstoffverschiebungen in 2-Vinyl- und 2-Allylphenolen

Aromatic Sigmatropic Hydrogen-Shifts in 2-Vinyl- and 2-Allyl-phenols It is shown by deuterium labeling experiments that 2-vinylphenols, on heating at 142,5°, undergo aromatic [1,5]-H-shifts whereby o-quinone methides are formed as intermediates (Scheme 7). Thus, heating of 2-isopropenylphenol ( 6 ) in a D₂O/dioxane mixture leads to a rapid deuterium incorporation into the methylidene group of the isopropenyl moiety (Table 1) whereas its methyl group shows only a slow uptake of deuterium. The latter exchange process can be attributed to intermolecular reactions (Scheme 8). The quinone methide intermediates (e.g. 26 , Scheme 8) can be regarded as vinyl homologues of alkyl ketones. Therefore, 26 can exchange hydrogen in both methyl groups by an acid- and base-catalysed mechanism. Indeed, when 6 is heated in D₂O/pyridine or D₂O/CH₃COOD/dioxane, an almost statistical incorporation of deuterium into the methylidene and the methyl group of the isopropenyl moiety is observed (Table 3). As a consequence of thermally induced [1,5]-H-shifts, 2-(1′-propenyl)-phenols undergo rapid (E,Z) isomerization with first order kinetics on heating above 140° in decane solution. Activation parameters are given in Table 4. The observed primary +++++ H/D isotope effect of 3.3 in the (E,Z) isomerization of phenol 8 is in +++ment with intramolecular H/D-shifts in the rate determing step (Scheme 9 +++ Table 5). As expected aromatic sigmatropic [1,5]-H-shifts in 2-(1′-propenyl)-+++ are much faster than aromatic homosigmatropic [1,5]-H-shifts in 2-(2′-+++++)phenols (Scheme 1 and Table 6). The structurally comparable phenols +++ (Z)- 10 and (E)/(Z)- 14 (Scheme 3) show k([1,5])/k(homo-[1,5]) ≈ 2300 at ++++

1 A more detailed discussion in English is given in [1].

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Isolierung von 10′-Apo-β-carotin-10′-ol und (3R)-10′-Apo-β-carotin-3,10′-diol (Galloxanthin) aus Rosenblüten. 5. Mitteilung über Rosenfarbstoffe

Isolation of 10′-Apo-β-carotene-10′-ol and (3R)-10′-Apo-β-carotene-3,10′-diol (Galloxanthin) from Rose Flowers The novel (all-E)-10′-apol-β-carotene-10′-ol ( 2 ) and (all-E,3R)-10′-apo-β-carotene-3,10′-diol ( 5 ) have been isolated from petals of one yellow species and various whitish or yellow blend varieties of rose cultivars. Each (all-E)-compound is accompanied by a (Z)-isomer, probably the (9Z)-isomer. Diol 5 proved to be identical with galloxanthin, an apo-10′-carotenol previously isolated from the retina of chicken.     

LC–DAD–ESI-MS–MS Separation and Chemical Characterization of the Inflammatory Fraction of the Roots of Euphorbia kansui

In China the roots of Euphorbia kansui T.N. Liou ex T.P. Wang, known as ‘kansui’, have been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for edema, ascites, and asthma. Kansui, has inflammatory and tumor-promoting toxicity, and other side-effects, however, which have seriously restricted its clinical application. In the work discussed in this paper a simple and rapid LC–DAD–ESI-MS–MS method has been established for separation and characterization of the main compounds in the toxic fraction of E. kansui roots. Twelve diterpene derivatives were identified in the inflammatory fraction of kansui: kansuinine C, kansuinine B, kansuinine A, kansuinine D, 5-O-benzoyl-20-deoxyingenol, kansuinine E, kansuiphorin C, 3-O-benzoyl-20-deoxyingenol, 3-O-(2′E,4′Z-decadienoyl)-5-O-acetylingenol, 3-O-(2′E,4′Z-decadienoyl)-20-deoxyingenol, 20-O-(2′E, 4′E-decadienoyl)ingenol, and 3-O-(2′E,4′Z-decadienoyl)-20-O-acetylingenol. The inflammatory fraction was separated on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column with a mobile phase gradient. The proposed method is a scientific and technical platform enabling the herbal medicine industry to perform quality control and ensure the safety of preparations that contain this class of poisonous diterpenoids.     

Caulerpenyne-Amine Reacting System as a Model for in vivo Interactions of Ecotoxicologically Relevant Sesquiterpenoids of the mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed caulerpa taxifolia

Caulerpenyne ( 1 ), the most abundant of the ecotoxicologically relevant sesquiterpenoids of the Mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, was found to react with Et₃N or pyridine in MeOH by initial deprotection of C(1)HO to give oxytoxin 1 ( 2a ), previously isolated from the sacoglossan mollusc Oxynoe olivacea. With BuNH₂, without any precaution to exclude light, 1 gave the series of racemic 3 and 4 , and achiral (4E,6E)- 5 , (4E,6Z)- 5 , (4Z,6E)- 5 , and (4Z,6Z)- 5 pyrrole compounds, corresponding to formal C(4) substitution, 4,5-β-elimination, and (E/Z)-isomerization at the C(4)?C(5) and C(6)?C(7) bonds. Changing to CDCl₃ as solvent in the dark, 1 gave cleanly, via 2a as an intermediate, 3 and (4E,6E)- 5 . The latter proved to be prone to (E/Z)-photoisomerization. Under standard acetylation conditions, 3 gave (4E,6E)- 5 via acetamide 7 as an intermediate. Particular notice is warranted by selective deprotection of 1 at C(1), mimicking enzyme reactions, and unprecedented formation of pyrrole compounds from freely-rotating, protected 1,4-dialdehyde systems.     

Rotationally‐hindered furyl fulgides

Fulgides are a representative class of photochromic organic molecules which exhibit several interesting properties for diverse applications in fields such as data storage or high‐resolution spectroscopy. The crystal structures of three furyl fulgides with different steric constraints were determined and for two of the compounds both the E and Z isomer structures were defined. The compounds are 3‐[(E)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐2‐benzofuran‐4‐ylidene]‐4‐isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₇H₁₈O₄, (I‐E), 3‐[(E)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐cyclohepta[c]furan‐4‐ylidene]‐4‐isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₈H₂₀O₄, (II‐E), and the Z isomer, (II‐Z), and 3‐isopropylidene‐4‐[(E)‐1‐(5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐yl)ethylidene]tetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₉H₁₈O₅, (III‐E), with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, and the Z isomer, (III‐Z). The structures of the E and Z isomers show only little differences in the bond lengths and angles inside the hexatriene unit. Because of the strained geometry there are deviations in the torsion angles. Furthermore, small differences in the distances between the bond‐forming C atoms in the electrocyclization process give no explanation for the unequal photochromic behaviour.     

Straightforward Preparation of (2E,4Z)-2,4-Heptadien-1-ol and (2E,4Z)-2,4-Heptadienal

Abstract

A concise synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadien-1-ol and (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal is presented. Commercially available (Z)-2-penten-1-ol was converted to ethyl-(2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienoate by reaction with activated MnO₂ and (carboethoxymethylene)triphenylphosphorane in the presence of benzoic acid as a catalyst. Ethyl-(2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienoate was converted to (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadien-1-ol with LiAlH₄. The alcohol was partially oxidized to (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal with MnO₂. The title compounds are male-specific, antennally active volatile compounds from the Saltcedar leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata Brulle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and have potential use in the biological control of the invasive weed saltcedar (Tamarix spp).