New cytotoxic spongian diterpenes from the sponge Dysidea cf. arenaria

Seven new (1-7) and three known (8-10) spongian-class diterpenes have been isolated from the sponge Dysidea cf. arenaria collected in Okinawa. Compound 6 was also isolated from the nudibranch Chromodoris kuniei. The structures of the new entities were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Three of the new spongians (2, 6, and 7) showed cytotoxicity against NBT-T2 rat bladder epithelial cells.     

Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa xanthones from the resin and green fruits of Cratoxylum cochinchinense

Cochinchinones I-L (1-3 and 13) along with 11 known xanthones (4-12, 14, and 15) were isolated from the resin and green fruits of Cratoxylum cochinchinense. In addition, four new acetylated compounds (16-19) were derivatized from 7-geranyloxy-1,3-dihydroxyxanthone (14) and 3-geranyloxy-1,7-dihydroxyxanthone (15). All compounds were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The structures of cochinchinone I (1), a monoacetate (18) and a dibrosylate (20), were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of selected compounds were evaluated as well.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine, 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine, and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol

A short, versatile, and enantioselective synthesis of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine (5), 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine (6), and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol (7) is achieved from a common template 12. The key step utilized is PET provoked amine radical cyclization of 11 to 12 in excellent diastereoselectivity. The exocyclic double bond at C-8 of the template is functionalized to obtain 5-7 as exclusive diastereomers. 1-Deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine exhibited inhibition of α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be weak inhibitors of β-glucosidase.     

Synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin

A convergent synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)-rollicosin (1) and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin (2) was accomplished. Hydroxy lactone 6a and/or 6b were synthesized from 4-pentyn-1-ol, and α,β-unsaturated lactone 7 was synthesized from γ-lactone 8 and 5-hexen-1-ol. Inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of enantiopure exo and endo six-membered oxazoline-derived palladacycles

Direct palladation of (S)-4-benzyl-2-methyl-2-oxazoline (1) and (S)-2-benzyl-4-tert-butyl-2-oxazoline (2) using Pd(OAc)₂ in MeCN afforded the corresponding μ-acetato-dimeric complexes with six-membered exo and endo palladacycles, respectively. The same complexes were obtained by reacting coordination complexes Pd(1)₂(OAc)₂ and Pd(2)₂(OAc)₂ with Pd(OAc)₂ in MeCN. Metalation of (S)-2,4-dibenzyl-2-oxazoline (3) with Pd(OAc)₂ in AcOH, MeCN or CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the regiospecific formation of the six-membered endo palladacycle. The obtained μ-acetato-dimeric complexes were converted to the corresponding μ-chloro-dimeric derivatives 7, 11 and 13 by treatment with LiCl in acetone. The mononuclear PPh₃ adducts 8, 12 and 14 were obtained by reacting dimers 7, 11 and 13 with PPh₃ in benzene. NMR spectroscopy data supported the proposed structures of all complexes and suggested that exo and endo palladacycles in 8 and 12 have rigid boat conformations in CHCl₃. The X-ray crystal structures of the μ-acetato dimer 6 with the exo palladacycle and the PPh₃ adduct 14 with the endo metalacycle revealed boat conformation of both palladacycles and chiral twisted conformations δ(S) and λ(S), respectively, of the oxazoline rings in the solid state.     

Biotransformation of two stemodane diterpenes by Mucor plumbeus

The microbiological transformation of 13α,17-dihydroxy-stemodane (2) by the fungus Mucor plumbeus afforded 13α,17,19-trihydroxy-stemodane (3), 3β,13α,17-trihydroxy-stemodane (5), 3-oxo-13α,17-dihydroxy-stemodane (7), 7α,13α,17,19-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (8), 3β,11α,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (10), 3β,7α,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (12), 3β,8β,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (14), 2α,13α,17-trihydroxy-stemodane (16), 2α,13α,17,19-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (17), 2α,3β,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (20) and 3β,11β,13α,17-tetrahydroxy-stemodane (22), whilst the incubation of 13α,14-dihydroxy-stemodane (25) gave 3β,13α,14-trihydroxy-stemodane (28), 2α,13α,14-trihydroxy-stemodane (29) and 13α,14,19-trihydroxy-stemodane (30). Preference for hydroxylations of ring A at C-2(α), C-3(β) and C-19 were observed in both incubations. An interesting rearrangement of 13α,14α-dihydroxy-stemodanes to 14-oxo derivatives with an unusual carbon framework has been observed under acetylation conditions. We have named this skeleton prestemodane, which, as a hydrocarbon ion, had been postulated as a biogenetic precursor of stemodane.     

Agelasines O-U, new diterpene alkaloids with a 9-N-methyladenine unit from a marine sponge Agelas sp.

New diterpene alkaloids, agelasines O-U (1-7), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Agelas sp. The gloss structures and relative stereochemistries of 1-7 were elucidated from the spectroscopic data. Agelasines O-R (1-4) were the third examples of diterpene alkaloid with a 9-N-methyladenine and a pyrrole units. Agelasine O (1) has a halimane skeleton, while agelasines P-R (2-4) have a clerodane skeleton. Agelasines S-U (5-7) were new diterpene alkaloids with a 9-N-methyladenine unit consisting of a halimane skeleton, a labdane skeleton, and a clerodane skeleton, respectively. Agelasines O-R (1-4) and T (6) showed antimicrobial activities against several bacteria and fungi.     

Synthesis of 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones by the domino Michael addition retro-ene reaction of 2-alkoxyiminoimidazolidines and acetylene carboxylates

2-Alkoxyiminoimidazolidines 2-3 react with acetylene dicarboxylates and ethyl phenylpropiolate to give 8-alkoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5(3H)-ones C, which subsequently undergo a sterically induced multihetero-retro-ene fragmentation to give imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones 4-7 together with formaldehyde or benzaldehyde. On the other hand, a similar reaction of 2-3 with ethyl propiolate gives corresponding 8-alkoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5(3H)-ones 8-10. The unsubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5(1H)-one 11 can be prepared by retro-ene reaction of 9 upon prolonged heating in refluxing ethanol. A direct synthetic approach to 1-formyl-7-phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-5(1H)-one 14 is reported using DMF/sulfonyl chloride as a new Vilsmeier-type N-formylating reagent.     

Revisiting diterpene lactones of Suregada multiflora

Phytochemical investigations on the organic extracts of the leaves of Suregada multiflora have led to the isolation of ten tetracyclic diterpene lactones 1-10, members of a rare class of abiatene diterpene lactones. Compounds 1-5 were found to be new. The structures of gelomulides F (11), D (12) and E (13) were revised on the basis of 2D NMR and X-ray diffraction evidences. Compounds 1 and 2 contain an epoxy linkage between C-8 and C-14, whereas compounds 3-5 were identified as 8,14-dihydroxy analogues of diterpene lactones. The stereochemical assignments in new compound 1 are based on X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 6 and 7 were identified as the known gelomulides A, G. The structures of compounds 7-9 were unambiguously confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses.     

New phlegmarane-type, cernuane-type, and quinolizidine alkaloids from two species of Lycopodium

Two new phlegmarane-type alkaloids, cermizines A (1) and B (2), three new quinolizidine alkaloids, cermizine C (3) and senepodines G (4) and H (5), and a new C₁₆N₂ type alkaloid consisting of a quinolizidine and a piperidine ring, cermizine D (6), as well as two new cernuane-type alkaloids, cernuine N-oxide (7) and lycocernuine N-oxide (8), have been isolated together with cernuine (9) and lycocernuine (10) from the club moss Lycopodium cernuum and L. chinense. The relative stereochemistry of 1-4 and 6, and the absolute stereochemistry of 5, 7, and 8 were elucidated by combination of NOESY correlations, modified Mosher's method, chemical transformations, and computational methods. Cermizine D (6) might be a biosynthetic intermediate of cernuane-type alkaloids such as 7-10.     

The first entry to pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline-2,4(3aH,5H)-diones

Wittig olefination of 3-aminoquinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 1 with ethyl (triphenylphosphoranylidene)acetate (Ph₃PCHCO₂Et) afforded (E)-3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonylmethylene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-quinolones (E)-2 and pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline-2,4(3aH,5H)-diones 3. An alternative approach for the synthesis of 3 via 3-bromoacetamidoquinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 7, their corresponding triphenylphosphonium salts 8, and ylides A that undergo intramolecular Wittig reaction, was investigated. Under the applied reaction conditions, the phosphonium salts 8 and ylides A are so unstable that they partly decompose to 3-acetamidoquinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 9 during the synthesis of 3.     

New resveratrol oligomers in the stem bark of Vatica pauciflora

Five new resveratrol oligomers; pauciflorols A-C (1-3), isovaticanols B (6) and C (8), and three new oligostilbene glucosides; pauciflorosides A (11), B (13), C (14), were isolated from the stem bark of Vatica pauciflora (Dipterocarpaceae) together with known 17 resveratrol oligomers (4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 15-25) and bergenin (26). The structures of isolates were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis. The typical and characteristic spectral properties of some resveratrol oligomers were also discussed.     

Proanthocyanidin glycosides from the leaves of Quercus ilex L. (Fagaceae)

From the polar extracts of the leaves of Quercus ilex L., two new proanthocyanidin glycosides, namely afzelechin-(4α→8)-catechin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (1) and afzelechin-(4α→8)-catechin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (2), were isolated in addition to catechin (3), proanthocyanidin B₃ (4), prodelphinidin C (5), dehydrodicatechin A (6), quercetin (7) and six known flavonol glucosides with their acylated derivatives (8-13) and ellagic acid (14). The structures of all isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic means, mainly 1D and 2D NMR, as well as LC/MS and HR-MS spectrometric analyses. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by CD measurements. The proanthocyanidin glycosides are especially interesting, as they possess the sugar in the upper unit of the dimer, which is rare for this type of compounds.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Ligularia virgaurea spp. oligocephala

Four novel eremophilane-type sesquiterpene lactones, 6β,10α-dihydroxy-1-oxoeremophila-7(11),8(9)-dien-12,8-olide (1), 6β-acetyl-2-oxoeremophila-1(10),7(11), 8(9)-trien-12,8-olide (2), 6β,8β-diacetyl-2-oxoeremophila-1(10),7(11)-dien-12,8-olide (3), dimeric eremophilane ligulolide B (5), and known sesquiterpenoid, 6β,8α-diacetyleremophila-1(10),7(11)-dien-12,8-olide (4), were isolated from an extract of the whole plant of Ligularia virgaurea spp. oligocephala. The structure of 1 was confirmed by NMR spectra and single crystal X-ray crystallography investigation, as well as 2, 3, and 5 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR spectra. A discussion of biogenesis of 5 was described. Cytotoxicities of compound 1 were measured in vitro against selected cancer cells human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60), human ovarian (HO-8910) and human lung epithehial (A-549).     

Eight new limonoids from Turraea pubescens

Eight new ring B-seco limonoids, turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) and turrapubesins C-G (4-8), along with turraflorin E and isoazadironolide were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Turraea pubescens. Turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) are a group of ring B-seco limonoid 17-carboxylic acids with a new C₂₃ skeleton, and turrapubesin C (4) incorporates an unprecedented 1,30-oxygen bridge. The structures including absolute stereochemistry of 1-8 were established on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and CD study. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against the P-388 and A-549 cells was evaluated.     

Indole alkaloids from Kopsia jasminiflora

Seven new indole alkaloids (aspidofractinine type 1–3, kopsine type 5, strychnos type 6, and vincamine type 7, 8) were isolated from Kopsia jasminiflora (Apocynaceae) collected in Thailand. 5-Oxokopsinic acid (4) was isolated from nature for the first time. The structures of the new alkaloids were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical transformation of a known alkaloid. 5,6-Secokopsinine (1) possesses a dialdehyde function that is formed by oxidative cleavage of the C-5–C-6 bond of kopsinine (9). New vincamine-type alkaloid 8 showed potent inhibitory activity toward human cancer cell lines (A549, HT29, HCT116).     

New potent cytotoxic lamellarin alkaloids from Indian ascidian Didemnum obscurum

Chemical investigations of the ascidian Didemnum obscurum has resulted in the isolation of four new lamellarin alkaloids, lamellarin-ζ (1), lamellarin-η (2), lamellarin-? (3) and lamellarin-χ (4) along with seven known lamellarins, lamellarin-K (5), lamellarin-I (6), lamellarin-J (7), lamellarin-K triacetate (8), lamellarin-L triacetate (9), lamellarin-F (10) and lamellarin-T diacetate (11). The structures of the compounds 1-11 were established by detailed analysis of NMR spectral data. Cytotoxic activity of the isolates has been done against coloractal cancer cells.     

Structures and cytotoxicities of fascaplysin and related alkaloids from two marine phyla—Fascaplysinopsis sponges and Didemnum tunicates

The structural variations and bioactivity properties of the alkaloids in the fascaplysin (1) and the reticulatine (3) families were examined. Four organisms were analyzed consisting of two collections of the sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata and two collections of the tunicate Didemnum sp. Reported are the isolation of three new compounds: 3-bromofascaplysin (2), 14-bromoreticulatine (4), and 14-bromoreticulatate (6) along with reticulatate (5) previously known as a semi-synthetic product of 1. Compounds 1 and 5 showed selectivity in a cell based cytotoxicity assay.     

Five novel norcembranoids from Sinularia leptoclados and S. parva

Three new norcembrane-based diterpenoids, leptocladolides A (1), B (4) and C (5), along with five known metabolites 6-10, have been isolated from the dichloromethane extract of a Taiwanese soft coral Sinularia leptoclados. Furthermore, a chemical investigation on the dichloromethane extract of S. parva has resulted in the isolation of two new related isomers, 1-epi-leptocladolide A (2) and 7E-leptocladolide A (3), in addition to 1 and 7. The structures of new metabolites 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and their relative stereochemistries were determined by NOESY experiments. The new metabolites 1 and 3 have been shown to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against KB and Hepa59T/VGH cancer cell lines.