A New Irregular Trihydroxy Sesquiterpene from Teucrium mascatense

A new trihydroxy sesquiterpene, rel‐(1R,4aR,5S,6S,7S,8aR)‐decahydro‐6,8a‐dimethyl‐5‐(propan‐2‐yl)naphthalene‐1,6,7‐triol ( 1 ), has been isolated as a result of the phytochemical investigation on the CH₂Cl₂ extract of Teucrium mascatense. The structure elucidation of the new constituent was carried out by the combined use of 1D‐ (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR) and 2D‐NMR (HMBC and HSQC) spectroscopic analysis, along with mass spectrometric techniques. In addition to the new constituent 1 , the known metabolite 2 , previously isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida, was also identified.     

A Convenient Approach to C2‐Chiral 1,1,4,4‐Tetrasubstituted Butanetetraols: Direct Alkylation or Arylation of Enantiomerically Pure Diethyl Tartrates

C₂‐Chiral 1,1,4,4‐tetraaryl‐ or 1,1,4,4‐tetraalkyl‐substituted butanetetraols have been conveniently synthesized via arylation or alkylation of unprotected diethyl (2R,3R)‐ and (2S,3S)‐tartrates with Grignard reagent. The chiral 1,1,4,4‐tetrasubstituted butanetetraols were characterized by IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, as well as LC/MS.     

Scobidiynediol的合成及绝对构型

本文报道了以光学活性乳酸为手性元对目标化合物的所有可能的四个异构体所进行的合成。根据合成样品与天然产物的核磁及旋光数据比较，标题化合物的相对及绝对构型都得以完全确立，其完整结构定为(2S,3S)-4,6-庚二炔-2,3-二醇。     

A New Alkaloid from the Seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L.

Alopecurin A, an alkaloid with an unprecedented skeleton, was isolated from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. The absolute configuration and structure of this compound was identified as (3S,12R)‐3‐hydroxy‐1,7‐diazatricyclo[10.4.0.1^3,7]heptadecane‐11,16,17‐trione (=(7S,15aR)‐decahydro‐7‐hydroxy‐6H‐7,11‐methano‐4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a][1,7]diazacyclododecine‐4,15,16(12H)‐trione). The structure and absolute configuration was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly HR‐ESI‐TOF‐MS, IR, 1D‐NMR (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR), 2D‐NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC), and particularly X‐ray crystal‐diffraction and CD spectral analysis.     

Two New Highly Oxidized Humulane Sesquiterpenes from the Basidiomycete Lactarius mitissimus

Two new highly oxidized humulane sesquiterpenes, mitissimols F ( 1 ) and G ( 2 ), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Lactarius mitissimus. Their structures were elucidated by using extensive spectroscopic techniques including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of mitissimol F ( 1 ) was determined by ¹H‐NMR resolution of its diastereoisomeric α‐methoxy‐α‐(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetates (MTPA). It was shown to be (1S,3E,6S,8R,9R,10S,11R)‐8,9 : 10,11‐diepoxy‐1,6‐dihydroxyhumul‐3‐en‐5‐one (=(1S,2R,4R,6S,8E,11S,12R)‐6,11‐dihydroxy‐1,6,10,10‐tetramethyl‐3,13‐dioxatricyclo[10.1.0.0^2,4]tridec‐8‐en‐7‐one).     

Functionalized 3,3′,5,5′‐Tetraaryl‐1,1′‐Biphenyls: Novel Platforms for Molecular Receptors

This paper describes the development of novel aromatic platforms for supramolecular construction. By the Suzuki cross‐coupling protocol, a variety of functionalized m‐terphenyl derivatives were prepared (Schemes 1–4). Macrolactamization of bis(ammonium salt) (S,S)‐ 6 with bis(acyl halide) 7 afforded the macrocyclic receptor (S,S)‐ 2 (Scheme 1), which was shown by ¹H‐NMR titration studies to form ‘nesting' complexes of moderate stability (K_a between 130 and 290 M ^?1, 300 K) with octyl glucosides 13 – 15 (Fig. 2) in the noncompetitive solvent CDCl₃. Suzuki cross‐coupling starting from 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl provided access to a novel series of extended aromatic platforms (Scheme 5) for cleft‐type (Fig. 1) and macrotricyclic receptors such as (S,S,S,S)‐ 1 . Although mass‐spectral evidence for the formation of (S,S,S,S)‐ 1 by macrolactamization between the two functionalized 3,3′,5,5′‐tetraaryl‐1,1′‐biphenyl derivatives (S,S)‐ 33 and 36 was obtained, the ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of purified material remained rather inconclusive with respect to both purity and constitution. The versatile access to the novel, differentially functionalized 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl platforms should ensure their wide use in future supramolecular construction.     

Asymmetric Syntheses of New Polyhydroxylated Quinolizidines: Cross‐Aldol Reactions of 7‐Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2‐one and 3a,4a,7a,7b‐Tetrahydro[1,3]dioxolo[4,5]furo[2,3‐d]isoxazole‐3‐carbaldehyde Derivatives

The cross‐aldolization of (−)‐(1S,4R,5R,6R)‐6‐endo‐chloro‐5‐exo‐(phenylseleno)‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2‐one ((−)‐ 25 ) and of (+)‐(3aR,4aR,7aR,7bS)‐ ((+)‐ 26 ) and (−)‐(3aS,4aS,7aS,7bR)‐3a,4a,7a,7b‐tetrahydro‐6,6‐dimethyl[1,3]dioxolo[4,5]furo[2,3‐d]isoxazole‐3‐carbaldehyde ((−)‐ 26 ) was studied for the lithium enolate of (−)‐ 25 and for its trimethylsilyl ether (−)‐ 31 under Mukaiyama's conditions (Scheme 2). Protocols were found for highly diastereoselective condensation giving the four possible aldols (+)‐ 27 (`anti'), (+)‐ 28 (`syn'), 29 (`anti'), and (−)‐ 30 (`syn') resulting from the exclusive exo‐face reaction of the bicyclic lithium enolate of (−)‐ 25 and bicyclic silyl ether (−)‐ 31 . Steric factors can explain the selectivities observed. Aldols (+)‐ 27 , (+)‐ 28 , 29 , and (−)‐ 30 were converted stereoselectively to (+)‐1,4‐anhydro‐3‐{(S)‐[(tert‐butyl)dimethylsilyloxy][(3aR,4aR,7aR,7bS)‐3a,4a,7a,7b‐tetrahydro‐6,6‐dimethyl[1,3]dioxolo[4,5]‐furo[2,3‐d]isoxazol‐3‐yl]methyl}‐3‐deoxy‐2,6‐di‐O‐(methoxymethyl)‐α‐D ‐galactopyranose ((+)‐ 62 ), its epimer at the exocyclic position (+)‐ 70 , (−)‐1,4‐anhydro‐3‐{(S)‐[(tert‐butyl)dimethylsilyloxy][(3aS,4aS,7aS,7bR)‐3a,4a,7a,7b‐tetrahydro‐6,6‐dimethyl[1,3]dioxolo[4,5]furo[2,3‐d]isoxazol‐3‐yl]methyl}‐3‐deoxy‐2,6‐di‐O‐(methoxymethyl)‐α‐D ‐galactopyranose ((−)‐ 77 ), and its epimer at the exocyclic position (+)‐ 84 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 5). Compounds (+)‐ 62 , (−)‐ 77 , and (+)‐ 84 were transformed to (1R,2R,3S,7R,8S,9S,9aS)‐1,3,4,6,7,8,9,9a‐octahydro‐8‐[(1R,2R)‐1,2,3‐trihydroxypropyl]‐2H‐quinolizine‐1,2,3,7,9‐pentol ( 21 ), its (1S,2S,3R,7R,8S,9S,9aR) stereoisomer (−)‐ 22 , and to its (1S,2S,3R,7R,8S,9R,9aR) stereoisomer (+)‐ 23 , respectively (Schemes 6 and 7). The polyhydroxylated quinolizidines (−)‐ 22 and (+)‐ 23 adopt `trans‐azadecalin' structures with chair/chair conformations in which H−C(9a) occupies an axial position anti‐periplanar to the amine lone electron pair. Quinolizidines 21 , (−)‐ 22 , and (+)‐ 23 were tested for their inhibitory activities toward 25 commercially available glycohydrolases. Compound 21 is a weak inhibitor of β‐galactosidase from jack bean, of amyloglucosidase from Aspergillus niger, and of β‐glucosidase from Caldocellum saccharolyticum. Stereoisomers (−)‐ 22 and (+)‐ 23 are weak but more selective inhibitors of β‐galactosidase from jack bean.     

Withanolides from Aureliana fasciculata var. fasciculata

In the first phytochemical study of the Aureliana genus (Solanaceae), two new withanolides, 1 and 2 , together with two known sterols, were isolated from the MeOH extract of the leaves of Aureliana fasciculata var. fasciculata. The structures were established as (4S,22R)‐16α‐acetoxy‐5β,6β‐epoxy‐4β,17α‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐dienolide (aurelianolide A) and (4S,22R)‐16α‐acetoxy‐4β,17α‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,5,24‐trienolide (aurelianolide B). The new compounds possessed the unusual 16α,17α‐dioxygenated group and were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques, including ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR (DEPT), as well as 2D‐NMR (HMBC, HMQC, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY) experiments, and HR‐MS.     

Bruceines K and L from the Ripe Fruits of Brucea javanica

Bruceine K ( 1 ), a pentacyclic C₂₀‐quassinoid bearing a unique 12,20‐epoxy moiety, and bruceine L ( 2 ), along with the ten known compounds (6S,7E)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxy‐ and (6S,7E)‐6,9‐dihydroxymegastigma‐4,7‐dien‐3‐one ( 3 and 4 , resp.), cleomiscosins A–C, luteoline, quercetine, bruceantinol, pinoresinol, and thevetiaflavone, were isolated from the ripe fruits of Brucea javanica. Bruceines K ( 1 ) and L ( 2 ) were determined to be (1β,2α,11β,12β,14ξ,15β)‐12,20‐epoxy‐1,2,11,13,14,15‐hexahydroxypicras‐3‐en‐16‐one and (1β,2α,11β,12β,15β)‐13,20‐epoxy‐1,2,11,12‐tetrahydroxy‐16‐oxo‐15‐(senecioyloxy)picras‐3‐en‐21‐oic acid methyl ester (senecioic acid=3‐methylbut‐2‐enoic acid), respectively, on the basis of NMR (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC) and ESI‐MS data. Among the known compounds, (6S,7E)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxy‐ and (6S,7E)‐6,9‐dihydroxymegastigma‐4,7‐dien‐3‐one ( 3 and 4 , resp.), cleomiscosin C, luteoline, quercetine, and thevetiaflavone were isolated for the first time from the Brucea plants.     

Phenylpropanoid‐Substituted Catechins and Epicatechins from Smilax china

The four new phenylpropanoid‐substituted catechins 1, 3 , and 4 and 3‐epicatechin ( 2 ), together with seven analogues, were isolated from the AcOEt extract of Smilax china L. (catechin=(2R,3S)‐2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐2‐benzopyran‐3,5,7‐triol). Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analyses, including HR‐MS, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and 2D experiments (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and comparison with known related compounds.     

Terpenoids from Croton regelianus

Two new terpenoids, the bisnorditerpene rel‐(5β,8α,10α)‐8‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐9(11),13‐diene‐3,12‐dione ( 1 ) and the guaiane sesquiterpene rel‐(1R,4S,6R,7S,8aR)‐decahydro‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4,9,9‐trimethyl‐4,7‐(epoxymethano)azulen‐6‐ol ( 2 ), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from Croton regelianus var. matosii. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR‐ESI‐TOF and a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.     

A New Family of C3‐Symmetrical Carbohydrate Receptors

The formation of the new optically active C₃‐symmetrical receptors (S,S,S)‐ 2 – 4 (Fig. 1), incorporating 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene and 1,3,5‐tris(phenylethynyl)benzene platforms as ‘floors' and ‘ceilings', is described. The tris(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives 9 and (S,S,S)‐ 10 (Scheme 1) for the three‐fold peptide coupling to yield the macrocyclic skeletons (Scheme 2) were prepared starting from 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene by the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction. The optical rotations of the three macrocycles (S,S,S)‐ 2 – 4 , two of which ((S,S,S)‐ 2 and (S,S,S)‐ 3 ) are constitutional isomers, differ significantly, which is explained by differential twists induced into the macrocyclic skeletons by the leucine spacer in these bridges. 1 : 1 Host–guest complexes of (S,S,S)‐ 2 – 4 with octyl glucosides (Fig. 3) in CDCl₃ are of modest stability (K_a≤270 M ^?1 at 300 K). In these complexes, the monosaccharides are most probably nesting on one of the H‐bonding faces of the receptor rather than being accommodated in the cavity.     

Chemical Constituents from Cynoglossum gansuense

Two new alkaloids, i.e., (2,3‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]pyrrol‐7‐yl)methyl (2S*,3S*)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐(1‐methylethyl)butanoate ( 1 ) and 1,2‐dihydro‐8‐methoxy‐2‐oxoquinoline‐4‐carboxylic acid ( 2 ), were isolated from the alcoholic extract of the whole plant of Cynoglossum gansuense, together with twelve known compounds Their structures were characterized by means of spectroscopic methods, especially by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and 2D‐NMR, as well as by HR‐MS experiments and comparison with literature data.     

Unexpected Novel Pheophytin Peroxides from the Leaves of Biden pilosa

Two new pheophytins, bidenphytins A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), with peroxide functionalities on ring E, were isolated from Biden pilosa Linn . var. radiata Sch . Bip ., a popular Taiwanese folk medicine. Also isolated were the following six known compounds: pheophytin a ( 3 ), (13²R)‐13²‐hydroxypheophytin a ( 4 ), (13²S)‐13²‐hydroxypheophytin a ( 5 ), (13²R)‐13²‐hydroxypheophytin b ( 6 ), (13²S)‐13²‐hydroxypheophytin b ( 7 ), and aristophyll‐C ( 8 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) and by mass spectrometry (HR‐FAB‐MS). Possible biosynthetic pathways for 1 and 2 are proposed.     

Synthesis and Absolute Configuration at C(8) of ‘p‐Menthane‐3,8,9‐triol’ Derived from (–)‐Isopulegol

Two diastereoisomers of the new, potentially insecticidal ‘p‐menthane‐3,8,9‐triol’ (=(2S)‐ and (2R)‐ 2‐[(1R,2R,4R)‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐methylcyclohexyl]propane‐1,2‐diol; (8S)‐ and (8R)‐ 1 ), have been synthesized from (–)‐isopulegol by both conventional dihydroxylation and catalytic Sharpless dihydroxylation (Scheme). The absolute configuration at C(8) of the corresponding orthoformate adduct (8S)‐ 3a was determined by ¹H‐NMR and X‐ray crystallographic analysis (Figure).     

Chiral Heterospirocyclic 2H‐Azirin‐3‐amines as Synthons for 3‐Amino‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrofuran‐3‐carboxylic Acid and Their Use in Peptide Synthesis

The heterospirocyclic N‐methyl‐N‐phenyl‐5‐oxa‐1‐azaspiro[2.4]hept‐1‐e n‐2‐amine (6 ) and N‐(5‐oxa‐1‐azaspiro[2.4]hept‐1‐en‐2‐yl)‐(S)‐proline methyl ester ( 7 ) were synthesized from the corresponding heterocyclic thiocarboxamides 12 and 10 , respectively, by consecutive treatment with COCl₂, 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, and NaN₃ (Schemes 1 and 2). The reaction of these 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines with thiobenzoic and benzoic acid gave the racemic benzamides 13 and 14 , and the diastereoisomeric mixtures of the N‐benzoyl dipeptides 15 and 16 , respectively (Scheme 3). The latter were separated chromatographically. The configurations and solid‐state conformations of all six benzamides were determined by X‐ray crystallography. With the aim of examining the use of the new synthons in peptide synthesis, the reactions of 7 with Z‐Leu‐Aib‐OH to yield a tetrapeptide 17 (Scheme 4), and of 6 with Z‐Ala‐OH to give a dipeptide 18 (Scheme 5) were performed. The resulting diastereoisomers were separated by means of MPLC or HPLC. NMR Studies of the solvent dependence of the chemical shifts of the NH resonances indicate the presence of an intramolecular H‐bond in 17 . The dipeptides (S,R)‐ 18 and (S,S)‐ 18 were deprotected at the N‐terminus and were converted to the crystalline derivatives (S,R)‐ 19 and (S,S)‐ 19 , respectively, by reaction with 4‐bromobenzoyl chloride (Scheme 5). Selective hydrolysis of (S,R)‐ 18 and (S,S)‐ 18 gave the dipeptide acids (R,S)‐ 20 and (S,S)‐ 20 , respectively. Coupling of a diastereoisomeric mixture of 20 with H‐Phe‐O^tBu led to the tripeptides 21 (Scheme 5). X‐Ray crystal‐structure determinations of (S,R)‐ 19 and (S,S)‐ 19 allowed the determination of the absolute configurations of all diastereoisomers isolated in this series.     

Cadinene Derivatives from Eupatorium adenophorum

A new norsesquiterpene named eupatorone (= (4S,4aR,6R)‐1‐acetyl‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐4,4a,5,6‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐dimethylnaphthalen‐2(3H)‐one; 1 ) and a new sesquiterpene derivative named 2‐deoxo‐2‐(acetyloxy)‐9‐oxoageraphorone (= (1R,4S,4aR,6R,8aS)‐6‐(acetyloxy)‐3,4,4a,5,6,8a‐hexahydro‐4,7‐dimethyl‐1‐(1‐methylethyl)naphthalen‐2(1H)‐one; 2 ), together with the five known cadinene derivatives 3 – 7 were isolated from the flower of Eupatorium adenophorum (Spreng. ). Their structures were established by extensive NMR experiments, including 1D and 2D NMR.     

Two New Withanolides from Physalis peruviana

Two new perulactone‐type withanolides, named perulactone C ( 1 ) and perulactone D ( 2 ), together with four known compounds, perulactone ( 3 ), perulactone B ( 4 ), blumenol A, and (+)‐(S)‐dehydrovomifoliol, were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis peruviana. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, including HMBC, HSQC, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, and ROESY, as well as HR‐MS.     

Determination of Absolute Configuration of Decipinone,a Diterpenoid Ester with a Myrsinane‐Type Carbon Skeleton,by NMR Spectroscopy

The absolute configuration of decipinone ( 2 ), a myrsinane‐type diterpene ester previously isolated from Euphorbia decipiens, has been determined by NMR study of its axially chiral derivatives (aR)‐ and (aS)‐N‐hydroxy‐2′‐methoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2‐carboximidoyl chloride ((aR)‐MBCC ( 3a ) and (aS)‐MBCC ( 3b )). The absolute configurations at C(7) and C(13) of 2 determined were (R) and (S), respectively. Therefore, considering the relative configuration of 2 , the absolute configuration determined was (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,7R,11S,12R,13S,15R).     

Characterization of novel isobenzofuranones by DFT calculations and 2D NMR analysis

Phthalides are frequently found in naturally occurring substances and exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the search for compounds with insecticidal activity, phthalides have been used as versatile building blocks for the syntheses of novel potential agrochemicals. In our work, the Diels–Alder reaction between furan‐2(5H)‐one and cyclopentadiene was used successfully to obtain (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4R,7S,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 2 ) and (3aS,4S,7R,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4R,7S,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 3 ). The endo adduct ( 2 ) was brominated to afford (3aR,4R,5R,7R,7aS,8R)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4S,5S,7S,7aR,8S)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 4 ) and (3aS,4R,5R,6S,7S,7aR)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4S,5S,6R,7R,7aS)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 5 ). Following the initial analysis of the NMR spectra and the proposed two novel unforeseen products, we have decided to fully analyze the classical and non‐classical assay structures with the aid of computational calculations. Computation to predict the ¹³C and ¹H chemical shifts for mean absolute error analyses have been carried out by gauge‐including atomic orbital method at M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) levels of theory for all viable conformers. Characterization of the novel unforeseen compounds ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) were not possible by employing only the experimental NMR data; however, a more conclusive structural identification was performed by comparing the experimental and theoretical ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts by mean absolute error and DP4 probability analyses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.