Rogiolenyne D,the likely immediate precursor of rogiolenyne A and B,branched C15 acetogenins isolated from the red seaweed Laurencia microcladia of II Rogiolo. Conformation and absolute configuration in the whole series

It is shown that in the red seaweed Jaurencia microcladia, collected in the Mediterranean off the torrent Il Rogiolo, the new branched C₁₅ acetogenin rogiolenyne D ( = (+)-(2S,3S,7R))-3-(bromomethyl)-7-[(Z)-1-chlorohexen-3-en-5-nyyl)]-2-ethyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrooxepin; (+)- ?3 co-occurs with the already reported rogiolenyne A ((?)- 1 ) and B ((?)- 2a , suggesting the lineage (+)- 3 →(?)- 1 (?)- 2a ,Which is realized here chemically. The relative configurations are established via NMR analysis and chemical transformations as regards the seven-membered ring, while recourse is made to conformational analysis for the side chain. The absolute configuration is established via the Mosher's NMR method applied to the MPTA esters of (?)- 2a .     

Slowly Interconverting Conformers of The Briarane Diterpenoids Verecynarmin B,C, and D,Isolated from the nudibranch mollusc Armina maculata and the pennatulacean octocoral Veretillum cynomorium of East Pyrenean waters

The novel briarane diterpenoids verecynarmin B(=(?)-(1R*, 10S*, 11R*, 4E, 12Z)-briara-4,7,12,17,-tetraen-14-one; (?)- 4 ); verecynarmin C (=(?)-(1R*, 10R*, 11S*, 4E, 12Z)?11-hydroxybriara-4,7,12,17-tetraen-14-one; (?)- 5 ); and verecynarmin D (=(?)-(1R*, 10R*, 11R*, 4E, 12E)-13-chloro-11-hydroxybriara-4,7,12,17,-tetraen-14-one; (?)- 6 ) are reported here as constituents of both the Mediterranean nudibranch mollusc Armina maculata (Rafinesque) and its prey, the pennatulacean octocoral Veretillum cynomorium (PALLAS ). The structural assignments rest mainly on (i) establishing that these briaranes occur in solution as two stable conformers which interconvert slowly (ca. 10 time per second at r.t. according to dynamic NMR) by 180° flipping of the C(4)?C(5) group in the ten-membered ring (Scheme 1), (ii) deriving, for both conformers, ¹H, ¹H coupling constants from 1D spectra, as well as ¹H, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹H, and ¹³C, ¹H, and ¹³C, ¹³C, correlations from 2D experiments; (iii) subjecting the briaranes to SeO₂ oxidation at the C(16) methyl group with isomerization at the C(4)=C(5) bond to give, in each case, only one observable molecular species as shown by NMR spectroscopy (Scheme 2).     

Novel cembranolides (Coralloidolide D and E) and a 3,7-Cyclized cembranolide (Coralloidolide C) from the mediterranean coral Alcyonium coralloides

The Mediterranean alcyonacean Alcyonium (= Parerytkropodium) coralhides (PALLAS, 1766) is shown to contain three novel diterpenes which are of biogenetic significance: the 3,7-cyclized cembranoid Coralloidolide C ( = (+)-(6R*, 7R*, 11S*, 12aS* 3aE)-7,8-epoxy-3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a-decahydro-12a-hydroxy-11-isopropenyl-1,4-dimethyl-3-oxocyciopentacydoundecene-8,6-carbolactone; (?)- 3 ), the O-bridged diketonic cembranolide Coralloidolide D (= (+)-(1R*, 2S*, 3R*, 5R*, 12S*, 8Z)-2,5-epoxy-1-hydroxy-12-isopropenyl-5,9-dimethyl-7,10-dioxocyclotetradeca-8-ene-1,3-carbolactone; (+)- 4 ), and the diketonic epoxycembranolide coralloidolide E (=(+)-(1R*, 2R*, 3R*, 12S*, 5Z, 8Z)-1,2-epoxy-12-isopropenyl-5,9-dimethyl-7,10-dioxocyclotetra-deca-5,8-diene-1,3-carbolactone; (+)- 5 ), The latter in pyridine at r. t. undergoes a double bond shift from C(4) = C(5) to C(4) = C(18) to give the isomer (?)- 7 . Structural assignments are mainly based on ID and 2D NMR and MS spectral data. Either corailoidolide A ((?)- 1 ) or the hypothetic unsaturated 1,4-diketone 9 can be envisaged as the precursors of all coralloidolides.     

Coralloidin C,D, and E: Novel Eudesmane Sesquiterpenoids from the Mediterranean Alcyonacean Alcyonium coralloides

The Mediterranean alcyonacean Alcyonium (=Parerythropodium) coralloides (Pallas, 1766) is shown to contain the novel eudesmane sesquiterpenoids coralloidin C (=(–)?(4R,10S)-eudesma-5,7(11)-dien-15-yl acetate; (–)? 4 ), coralloidin D (=(–)?(10R*)-eudesma-4,7(11)-diene-12,13-diyl diacetate; (–)? 7 ), and coralloidin E (=(+)?(4R*,10R*)-eudesma-5,7-dien-11-ol;(+)? 8 ). The absolute configuration of (–)? 4 is derived by the exciton-coupling method, applied to deacetylcoralloidin C_p-anisate ((–)? 6 ). Coralloidin E((+)? 8 ), being also obtained on treatment of deacetylcoralloidin A (=(+)?(4R*, 8R*, 10R*)-eudesma-5,7(11)-dien-8-ol; (+)? 2 ) with (COCl)₂ in DMSO, is configurationally correlated to coralloidin A (=(+)?(4R*, 8R*, 10R*)-eudesma-5,7(11)-dien-8-yl acetate; (+)? 1 ). Under acidic conditions, (+)? 2 undergoes a complex rearrangement giving (+)-(3R*, 4S*, 5R*, 6R*, 7S*)-arist-10-(1)-en -3-ol ((+)? 9 ), which is also obtained, together with (+)? 8 , on attempts to mesylate (+)? 2 .     

New Monoterpene-Substituted Dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum

Five New unusual monoterpene-substituted dihydrochalcones, the adunctins A–E (1″S)-1-{2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-6′-[4″-methyl-1″-(1?-methylethyl)cyclohex-3″ -en-1″ -yloxy]phenyl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 1 ), (5aR*,8R*,9aR*)-3-phenyl-1-[5′,8′,9′,9′a-tetrahydro-3′-hydroxy-1′-methoxy-8′-(1″-methylethyl)-5′-a-methyldibenzo-[b,d]furan-4′-yl]propan-1-one ( 2 ), (2′R*,4″S*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]-furan-2′(3′H),1″ -cyclohex-2″ -en]-7′-yl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 3 ), (2′R*,4″R*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methylethyl-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]furan-2′(3′H),1″-cyclohex-2″-en]-7′-yl}-3-phenypropan-1-one ( 4 ), and (5′aR*,6′S*, 9′R*,9′aS*)-1-[5′a,6′,7′,8′,9′a-hexahydro-3′,6′-methoxy-6′-methyl-9′-(1″-methylethyl)dibenzo[b,d]-furan-4′-yl]-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 5 ) were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) by preparative liquid chromatography. In addition, (?)-methyllindaretin ( 6 ), trans-phytol, and α-tocopherol ( = vitamin E) were also isolated and identified. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and cytotoxic potentials of the isolates were also investigated.     

Coralloidolide A and Coralloidolide B,the First Cembranoids from a Mediterranean Organism,the Alcyonacean Alcyonium coralloides

The alcyonacean Alcyonium ( = Parerythropodium) coralloides (PALLAS 1766) is the first Mediterranean organism shown to contain cembranoids. These are of unusual type like coralloidolide A ( = (?)-(1R*, 2R*, 3R*, 12S*, 5Z, 7Z, 9Z)-1, 2:7, 10-diepoxy-12-isopropenyl-5, 9-dimethylcyclotetradeca-5, 7, 9-triene-1, 3-carbolactone; (?)-6) and coralloidolide B ( =(?)-(1R*,2S*,3R*,7S*,10S*,12S*,5Z,8Z,)-2, 7:7, 10-diepoxy-1, 10-dihydroxy-12-isopropenyl-5, 9-dimethylcyclotetradeca-5,8-diene-1,3-carbolactone; (?)-8). Structural assignments are mainly based on 1D- and 2D-NMR data and on chemical transformations.     

Acid-Catalyzed [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangements of N-Propargylanilines

The acid-catalyzed rearrangement of N-(1′,1′-dimethylprop-2′-ynyl)-, N-(1′-methylprop-2′-ynyl)-, and N-(1′-arylprop-2′-ynyl)-2,6-, 2,4,6-, 2,3,5,6-, and 2,3,4,5,6-substituted anilines in mixtures of 1N aqueous H₂SO₄ and ROH such as EtOH, PrOH, BuOH etc., or in CDCl₃ or CCl₄ in the presence of 4 to 9 mol-equiv. trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)has been investigated (cf. Scheme 12-25 and Tables 6 and 7). The rearrangement of N-(3′-X-1′,1′-dimethyl-prop-2′-ynyl)-2,6- and 2,4,6-trimethylanilines (X = Cl, Br, I) in CDCl₃/TFA occurs already at 20° with τ_1/2 of ca. 1 to 5 h to yield the corresponding 6-(1-X-3′-methylbuta-1,2′-dienyl)-2,6-dimethyl- or 2,4,6-trimethylcyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-iminium ions (cf. Scheme 13 and Footnotes 26 and 34) When the 4 position is not substituted, a consecutive [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement takes place to yield 2,6-dimethyl-4-(3′-X-1′,1′-dimethylprop-2′-ynyl)anilines (cf. Footnotes 26 and 34). A comparable behavior is exhibited by N-(3′-chloro-1′-phenylprop-2′-ynyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline ( 45 ., cf. Table 7). The acid-catalyzed rearrangement of the anilines with a Cl substituent at C(3′) in 1N aqueous H₂SO₄/ROH at 85-95°, in addition, leads to the formation of 7-chlorotricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]oct-3-en-8-ones as the result of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the primarily formed iminium ions followed by hydrolysis of the iminium function (or vice versa; cf. Schemes 13,23, and 25 as well as Table 7). When there is no X substituent at C(1′) of the iminium-ion intermediate, a [1,2]-sigmatropic shift of the allenyl moiety at C(6) occurs in competition to the [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to yield the corresponding 3-allenyl-substituted anilines (cf. Schemes 12,14–18, and 20 as well as Tables 6 and 7). The rearrangement of (?)?(S)-N-(1′-phenylprop-2′-ynyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline ((?)- 38 ; cf. Table 7) in a mixture of 1N H₂SO₄/PrOH at 86° leads to the formation of (?)-(R)-3-(3′-phenylpropa-1′,2′-dienyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline ((?)- 91 ), (+)-(E)- and (?)-(Z)-6-benzylidene-1,5-dimethyltricyclo[3.2.1.0^2′7]oct-3-en-8-one ((+)-(E)- and (?)-(Z)- 92 , respectively), and (?)-(S)-2,6-dimethyl-4-( 1′-phenylprop-2′-ynyl)aniline((?)- 93 ). Recovered starting material (10%) showed a loss of 18% of its original optical purity. On the other hand, (+)-(E)- and (?)-(Z)- 92 showed the same optical purity as (minus;)- 38 , as expected for intramolecular concerted processes. The CD of (+)-(E)- and (?)-(Z)- 92 clearly showed that their tricyclic skeletons possess enantiomorphic structures (cf. Fig. 1). Similar results were obtained from the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of (?)-(S)-N-(3′-chloro-1′phenylprop-2′-ynyl)-2,6-dimethylaniline ((?)- 45 ; cf. Table 7). The recovered starting material exhibited in this case a loss of 48% of its original optical purity, showing that the Cl substituent favors the heterolytic cleavage of the N–C(1′) bond in (?)- 45. A still higher degree (78%) of loss of optical activity of the starting aniline was observed in the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of (?)-(S)-2,6-dimethyl-N-[1′-(p-tolyl)prop-2′-ynyl]aniline ((?)- 42 ; cf. Scheme 25). N-[1′-(p-anisyl)prop-2-ynyl]-2,4,6-trimethylaniline( 43 ; cf. Scheme 25) underwent no acid-catalyzed [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement at all. The acid-catalyzed rearrangement of N-(1′,1′-dimethylprop-2′-ynyl)aniline ( 25 ; cf. Scheme 10) in 1N H₂SO₄/BuOH at 100° led to no product formation due to the sensitivity of the expected product 53 against the reaction conditions. On the other hand, the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of the corresponding 3′-Cl derivative at 130° in aqueous H₂SO₄ in ethylene glycol led to the formation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,2-dimethylquinolin-4-on ( 54 ; cf. Scheme 10), the hydrolysis product of the expected 4-chloro-1,2-dihydro-2,2-dimethylquinoline ( 56 ). Similarly, the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of N-(3′-bromo-1′-methylprop-2′-ynyl)-2,6-diisopropylaniline ( 37 ; cf. Scheme 21) yielded, by loss of one i-Pr group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-isopropyl-2-methylquinolin-4-one ( 59 ).     

Synthesis of (+)-1,3:2,5-dianhydroviburnitol ((+)-(1R,2R,3S,5R,6S)-4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.03,6]octan-2-ol)

Epoxidation of (?)-(1R,2R,4R)-2-endo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl acetate ((?)-5) followed by saponification afforded (+)-(1R,4R,5R,6R)-5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)-7). Reduction of (+)-7 with diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAH) gave (+)-1,3:2,5-dianhydroviburnitol ( = (+)-(1R,2R,3S,4R,6S)-4,7-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^3,6]octan-2-ol; (+)-3). Hydride reductions of (±)-7 were less exo-face selective than reductions of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one and its derivatives with NaBH₄, AlH₃, and LiAlH₄ probably because of smaller steric hindrance to endo-face hydride attack when C(5) and C(6) of the bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-2-one are part of an exo oxirane ring.     

Synthesis of (−)-Conduritol C (1L-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,2,3/4-tetrol)

(1R, 2R, 4R)-2-endo-Cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl acetate ((?)-7) has been transformed into the all-cis-configurated 4L -4,5,6/0-trihydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one derivatives (?)- 12 and (?)- 19 . (?)-Conduritol C ((?)- 3 ) was derived in a stereospecific manner from (?)- 12 .     

Leucascandrolide B,a New 16-Membered,Extensively Methyl-Branched Polyoxygenated Macrolide from the Calcareous Sponge Leucascandra caveolata from Northeastern Waters of New Caledonia

We report a novel, extensively methyl-branched and polyoxygenated 16-membered macrolide, leucascandrolide B (=(1R*,5S*,7R*,9S*,13R*,14R*,15R*,11Z)-5-[(E)-1,4-dimethylhept-5-enyl]-1,7,9-trihydroxy-11,14-dimethyl-3-oxo-4,17-dioxabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadec-11-en-15-yl] carbamate; 2 ), isolated from the calcareous sponge Leucascandra caveolata Borojevic and Klautau from the northeastern coast of New Caledonia. The NMR structural assignments were corroborated by semisynthetic derivatives of 2 , the functional groups and atom connectivity by derivatives 4 – 6 (obtained by acetylation, oxidation, and elimination-solvation, resp.), and the relative configurations by derivative 7 (obtained by carbonation). The preferred conformation of 2 , centered on a chair-like tetrahydro-2H-pyran ring formed by intramolecular acetalization, was derived from molecular mechanics and semiempirical calculations which were in agreement with all NMR data. A dilactone `dimeric' structure 3 , indistinguishable from 2 on the basis of all above data, was ruled out by tandem MS-MS experiments.     

Synthesis of (1′S*,2R*,3R*)- and (1′S*,2R*,3S*)-N-arylsulfonyl-2-(1′-halogenethyl)-3-methylindolines and their selective toxicity against SH-SY5Y cell line

N-tosyl-2- and N-tosyl-4-halogen-substituted derivatives of 2-(1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)aniline were synthesized and their molecular iodine-mediated cyclization was investigated. The cyclization upon interaction of N-tosyl-6-methyl-2-(1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)aniline with molecular iodine in methyl tert-butyl ether or acetonitrile was studied, as well as the interaction of this sulfonamide with N-bromosucinimide in dichloromethane. Synthesized (2R*,3R*)- and (2R*,3S*)-N-arylsulfonyl-2-(1-halogenoethyl)-3-methylindoline derivatives showed cytotoxic activity against HEK293 cells, SH-SY5Y, Jurkat, and HepG2 cell lines. The compounds (2R*,3S*)-N-arylsulfonyl-7-bromo-2-(1-halogenoethyl)-3-methylindoline cis- 4a , stereoisomeric (2R*,3R*)-trans- 4h and (2R*,3S*)-N-tosyl-7-chloro-2-(1-halogenoethyl)-3-methylindoline cis- 4h demonstrated selective toxicity against SH-SY5Y cell line (IC₅₀ ≈ 3 ÷ 5 μM), and did not affect HEK293, Jurkat, and HepG2 cells.     

Instructions to Authors (1994)

(1S,2R,6R,7R)-4-Phenyl-3,10-dioxa-5-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec-4-en-9-one ((+)- 5 ) obtained in 6 steps from the Diels-Alder adduct of furan to 1-cyanovinyl (1S)-camphanate ((+)- 3 ) was reduced to the corresponding endo-alcohol (?)- 6 the treatment of which with HBr/AcOH provided (?)-(3aS,4S,6R,7S,7aR)-4β-bromo-3aβ,4,5,6,7,7aβ-hexahydro-2-phenyl-1,3-benzoxazole-6β,7α-diyl diacetate ((?)- 17 ). Elimination of HBr with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and acidic hydrolysis furnished (?)-(1R,2S,3R,4R)-4-aminocyclohex-5-ene-1,2,3-triol ( ? (?)-conduramine C₁;(?)- 1 ).     

Oxidative and hydrolytic cleavage of cyclopropane and spirocyclobutane derivatives of 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane,the products of transformation of levoglucosenone

A new method for the synthesis of (1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxymethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan2-one, the cyclopropane analog of (S)-5-hydroxypent-2-en-4-olide, has been suggested based on oxidation of (1S,2S,4R,6R)-7,9-dioxatricyclo[4.2.1.0^2,4]nonan-5-one. Oxidation of cyclobutanones, spirojoined with the fragments of 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene, 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (at position 4), or 7,9-dioxatricyclo[4.2.1.0^2,4]nonane (at position 5), upon the action of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid or the KMnO₄-H₂SO₄-H₂O system leads to the corresponding spirojoined butanolides in 73–85% yields. The same cyclobutanones easily undergo the four-membered ring opening upon the action of dilute H₂SO₄ at 50–90 °C to form 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-4- or 7,9-dioxatricyclo[4.2.1.0^2,4]nonane-5-propionic acid.     

Novel Trinor-eremophilanes (Dendryphiellin B,C, and D), Eremophilanes (Dendryphiellin E,F, and G), and Branched C9-Carboxylic Acids (Dendryphiellic Acid A and B) from the Marine Deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina (SUTHERLAND) PUGHet NICOT

Further investigation of global extracts from cultures of the marine deuteromycete Dendryphiella salina leads to the isolation of three novel trinor-eremophilanes esterified by branched C₉-carboxylic acids, dendryphiellin B (= (+)-(1R*,2S*,7R*,8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*, 2E, 4E)-6-hydroxy-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 2 ), dendryphiellin C (=(+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7R*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexa-hydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6S, 2E, 4E)-6-methylocta-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 3 )), and dendryphiellin D (=(+)-(1R*, 2S*, 7R*, 8aR*)-1,2,6,7(8,8a-hexahydro-7-hydroxy-1,8a-dimethyl-6-oxonaphthalen-2-yl (6R*,2E,4E)-6-(hydroxymethyl)octa-2,4-dienoate; (+)- 4 ). An intact eremophilane, dendryphiellin E ( 5 ), and its ethanolysis product dendryphiellin F whose absolute configuration is represented by structural formula (+)- 6 are also isolated from the above extracts. Dendryphiellin E exists as an open form 5a in equilibrium with a closed form 5b . A similar equilibrium exists between the open form 8a and the closed form 8b of a non-esterified eremophilane, dendryphiellin G ( 8 ), which is isolated too from the above extracts and proves structurally related to the cyclic portion of 5 . Finally, the free, branched C₉-carboxylic acids dendryphiellic acid A ((+)- 9 ) and B ((+)- 10 ) which correspond to side chains of the above esterified terpenes are also isolated from the above extracts.     

Raspailynes,Novel Long-Chain Acetylenic Enol Ethers of Glycerol from the Marine Sponges Raspailia pumila and Raspailia ramosa

The sponges Raspailia pumila and ramosa (Demospongiae, Tetractinomorpha, Axinellida) from the North-East Atlantic are shown to contain a series of novel long-chain enol ethers of glycerol where the enol ether C?C bond is conjugated, in sequence, to both an acetylenic and an olefinic bond. Polar extracts give raspailynes hydroxylated at their (1Z5Z)-1,5-alkadien-3-ynyl chain, like raspailyne Al ( = (+)-(S)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-16-hydroxy-hexadeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; (+ 2 ) and isoraspailyne A ( = (+)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-17-hydroxyocta-deca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-[propanediol; (+)- 3 ). Less polar extracts give 3 different types of raspailynes not hydroxylated at the chain. Raspailynes of the first type have either the (1Z,5Z)-configuration in a linear chain such as raspailyne B2 (( = (?)-(s)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-trideca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; (?)-4), raspailyne Bl ( = (?)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-tetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol;(?)- 5 ), and raspailyne B ( = 3-[((1Z,5Z)-pentadeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 6 ) or the (1Z,5Z)-pentadeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 6 )or the (1Z,5Z)-configuration in a chain ending with an isopropyl group, like isoraspailyne Bl ( = 3-[((1Z,5Z)-12-methyltrideca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 7 ) and isoraspailyne B ( = 3-[((1Z,5Z)-13-methyltetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 8 ). Raspailynes of the second type have the (1Z,5E)-configuration, like isoraspailyne Bla ( =3-[((1Z,5E)-tetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 9 ) and isoraspailyne Ba ( = 3-[((1Z,5E)-13-methyltetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 10 ). Raspailynes of the third type have the (1E,5Z)-configuration, like isoraspailyne Blb ( = 3-[((1E,5Z)-tetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2,-propanediol; 11 ). The (S)-configuration for (+)- 1 ,((+)- 2 , and (?)- 4 is derived from chemical correlations.     

Chiral cyclohexene block from <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-(−)-carvone

The oxidation with SeO₂ of a methyl group linked to an sp²-hybridized carbon in the product of the intramolecular iodoetherification of cis-carveol afforded (1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-en-4-carbaldehyde and [(1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-4-yl]methanol that were oxidized to methyl (1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-4-carboxylate. The latter by the Zn-promoted opening of the γ-oxide ring was converted into the target chiral block, methyl (4R,6R)-6-hydroxy-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-encarboxylate.     

Isolation from the Mediterranean Stolonifern Coral Sarcodictyon roseum of Sarcodictyin C,D, E,and F,novel diterpenodic alcohols esterified by (E)- or (Z)-N(1)-methylurocanic acid. Failure of the carbon-skeleton type as a classification criterion

It is shown here that the stoloniferan coral Sarcodictyon roseum of east Pyrenean waters contains four novel diterpenoids, sarcodictyin C ((?) -3 ), D ((?) -4 ), E ((+)- 5 ), F ((+)- 6 ), which are related to sarcodictyin A ( = (?)-(4R,4aR,7R,10S,11S,12aR,1Z,5E,8Z-7,10-epoxy-3,4,4a,7,10,11,12,12a-octahydro-7-hydroxy-6-(methyoxycarbonyl)-1,10-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-benzocyclodecen-11-yl (E)-N¹-methylyrocanate; ((?)? 1 ), previously isolated from the same coral. Sarcodictyin C ((?) -3 ) and D ((?) -4 ) and the 3α-hydroxy and 3α-acetoxy derivatives of (?) -1 ), sarcodictyin E ((+) -5 ) is the (Z)-urocanate isomer of (?) -3 ), and sarcodictyin F ((+) -6 ) is the 1α-hydroxy-2-ene isomer of (?) -3 . In all cases, the nine-membered ring is locked, and the molecule stabilized, by the urocanic appendage; when this is removed in MeOH/KOH, the C(11)–O^? function is free to attack at C(5), and retro-condensations then lead to the ring-contracted butenolides 11 (from (?) -3 ) or 10 (from(?) -1 ) with extrusion of the hydroxyfuran nucleus (Scheme 3). Under the same conditions, with (?) -3 , the C(3)-O^? group competitively attacks at C(5), the hydroxyfuran nucleus is expelled, and aldehyde 14 is formed. Peculiarly, in the reaction of (?) -3 with MeOD/KOD, the ring-contracted butenolide 17 contains D at the 4′-ax position. The sarcodictyins are unique in these chemical properties, not shared by the cladiellanes which have the same C-skeleton.     

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 %).     

Synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones and their reactions with oxygen-centered nucleophiles

A procedure for the synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones has been developed on the basis of three-component Wideqvist reaction of dihydroxymethyl ketones, 2-bromomalononitrile, and malononitrile. The presence of five electron-withdrawing groups in the resulting cyclopropyl ketones determines high acidity of proton in the cyclopropane ring. Facile deprotonation by the action of bases promotes opening of the three-membered ring with formation of either 1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides or (in the presence of alcohols or oximes), [2-alkoxy(aminooxy)-5-amino-4-cyanofuran-3(2H)-ylidene]malononitriles. The reaction with acetone oxime was not accompanied by cleavage of the three-membered ring, and nucleophilic attack was directed at the cyano groups in the trans position with respect to the carbonyl group to give the corresponding (1R*,5S*,6R*)-4-amino-2,2-bis(prop-2-ylideneaminooxy)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene-1,5-dicarbonitriles.     

New Sesquiterpenoids from Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa

Two new sesquiterpenoids, castanin A (= 4R*,5R*,5aS*,8S*,8aR*,8bR*)‐8‐formyl‐4,5,5a,6,7,8,8a,8b‐octahydro‐5,8b‐dihydroxy‐3,5a,8‐trimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2H‐indeno[4,5‐b]furan‐4‐yl acetate; 1 ) and castanin B (= 1aS*,6R*,6aS*,7aR*,9aR*)‐1a,2,6,6a,7a,8,9,9a‐octahydro‐1a,5,7a‐trimethylbisoxireno[4,5 : 8,9]cyclodeca[1,2‐b]furan‐6‐yl acetate; 2 ) were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa, together with two known compounds, oplophanone and 1β,6α‐dihydroxyeudesm‐4(14)‐ene. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and, in the case of 2 , also by X‐ray crystallography. Castanin A ( 1 ) represents a novel sesquiterpenoid, with a contracted ring A, derived from eudesmanolide. A possible biogenetic pathway is proposed.