Microwave-Assisted Minutes Synthesis of Bioactive Phenylbutanoids Occurring in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zingiber cassumunar</Emphasis>

Microwave-assisted condensation of benzaldehyde (3a,b) with acetone in aqueous sodium hydroxide adsorbed on basic alumina provides phenylbutenone (4a–4b) in 68–71% yield within 4 min, which upon further reduction with sodium borohydride and basic alumina gives phenylbutenol (5a,b) in 91–94% yield within 2 min. Dehydration of 5 with anhydrous copper (II) sulfate gives phenylbutadiene (1a,b), a metabolite of Zingiber cassumunar, within 3 min in 42–48% yield, respectively. All the steps involve environmental friendly solvents and reagents, mild reaction conditions, and overall formation of product 1a,b from 3a,b in 34–38% yield within 9 min under microwave irradiation. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 300–302, July–August, 2005.     

Structure of a New Diterpene Alcohol from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sibirica</Emphasis> Buds

The newditerpene alcohol (1) in addition to the known metabolitesisoagatholal (2) and β-sitosterol glucoside (as the tetraacetate) (3) were isolated from buds of Siberian pine. The structure of the new compound was established as abieto-8(14)-en-18-ol 9α,13α-endoperoxide. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 343–344, July–August, 2005.     

Synthesis of lomazarin and norlomazarin, pigments from Lomandra hastilis

5,8-Dihydroxy-2,3,6-trimethoxy-7-ethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (1) was used to synthesize in high yield 5,8-dihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2,3,6-trimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lomazarin, 3), a pigment from Lomandra hastilis. Alkaline hydrolysis of lomazarin produced mainly 5,6,8-trihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (9) through a retro-aldol decomposition of the 6-keto-form of 5,6,8-trihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (13b) formed during the reaction. 2,5,8-Trihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-3,6-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (norlomazarin, 4a), a pigment of L. hastilis, and its 3,5,8-trihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2,6-dimethoxy isomer 4b were formed as a difficultly separable mixture in addition to quinone 9. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 581–584, November–December, 2008.     

Two new benzoyl esters of glucose from Lagotis yunnanensis

Two new benzoyl esters of glucose 1-O-(E)-4′-methoxybenzoyl-β-D-glucopyranose (1) and 1-O-(E)-4′-methoxybenzoyl-β-D-gluconic acid (2) were isolated from Lagotis yunnanensis, together with six previously known iridoid glucosides. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis, including 2D NMR spectroscopy. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 529–530, November–December, 2006.     

Antioxidant flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamus communis</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">cretica</Emphasis>

A new flavonoid, kaempferol-3,4′-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), and three known flavonoids (2–4) were isolated from the aerial parts of T. communis L. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 187.151 ± 0.821 μM, and 92.079±0.513 μM, respectively), whereas compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate activity in DPPH free radical scavenging assays. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 295–297, May–June, 2009.     

A new flavonol derivative from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagopyrum dibotrys</Emphasis>

A new flavonol derivative 3, 8-dihydroxy-10-methoxy-5-H-isochromeno[4, 3-b]chromen-7-one (1) together with four known compounds, glutinone (2), luteolin (3), acacetin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), and rutin (5) were isolated from the dried roots of Fagopyrum dibotrys. Their structures were determined by UV, IR, MS, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 567–568, November–December, 2008.     

Synthesis of 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3,20-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (chikusetsusaponin-LT8), a glycoside from Panax japonicus

A method for preparative production of 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3,20-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), a glycoside from Panax japonicus, chikusetsusaponin-LT₈ was developed. Chemical transformation of betulafolientriol, a component of Betula leaves extract, produced the 12-keto-20S-protopanaxadiol (3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one) (2), exhaustive glycosylation of which by 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosylbromide (3) under Koenigs—Knorr reaction conditions with subsequent removal of protecting groups formed 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3,20-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1). The principal glycosylation product was 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside if equimolar amounts of (2) and (3) were used. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 44–48, January–February, 2006.     

A bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignan and toxicity of the ethanol extract from the fruit of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocotea heterochroma</Emphasis>

A new bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignan rel-(7S,8R,1′S,2′R,3′S)-Δ8′-2′-hydroxy-5,1′,3′-trimethoxy-3,4methylenedioxy-7,3′,8,1′-neolignan (1) was isolated from ethanol extract from the fruit of Ocotea heterochroma Mez & Sodiro ex Mez as well as the known compounds β-friedelanol (2), meso-dehydroguaiaretic acid (3), and yangambin (4), whose structures were elucidated on the basis of their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including 2D NMR data. Lethality bioassay using brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) was evaluated with the ethanol extract from the Ocotea heterochroma’s fruit. The toxicity of this extract was greater than the toxicity of those fractions obtained in a first solvent partition (benzene, ethyl acetate, and butanol subfractions) and that of a mixture of acetylated 2′-epimers from the new neolignan 1. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 158–160, March–April, 2009.     

New Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins from Bark of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platanus orientalis</Emphasis>

Two oligomeric proanthocyanidinglycosides were isolated from bark of Platanus orientalis. Their structures and relative configurations were established as 7-O-β-D-Glcp-(−)-epicatechingallate-(4β-8)-(−)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-(−)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-5-O-β-D-Glcp-epicatechingallate (Pl-1) and 7-O-β-D-Glc→6-O-β-D-Glcp-(−)-epigallocatechingallate-(4β-8)-(+)-catechingallate-(4β-8)-(+)-catechingallate-(4β-8)-(−)-epigallocatechingallate-(4α-8)-(−)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-[5-O-β-D-Glcp-→6-O-β-D-Glc→6-galloyl(−)-epigallocatechingallate (Pl-7). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 325–330, July–August, 2005.     

Two new coumarin biosides from Angelica dahurica

Two new coumarin biosides, tert-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-byakangelicin (1) and 2′-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-peucedanol (2), were isolated from the fresh roots of Angelica dahurica. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 561–563, November–December, 2008.     

Triterpene glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lonicera</Emphasis>. Isolation and structural determination of seven glycosides from flower buds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lonicera macranthoides</Emphasis>

The structures of seven triterpene glycosides (1–7), of which the 23-O-acetyl, 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester of hederagenin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (2) was new, from the flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides were established using chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 32–34, January–February, 2008.     

Synthesis of o-carborane-C-carboxylates of certain natural terpene alcohols, sterols, phenols, and camphar oxime

Previously unreported esters 1b–20b were synthesized from natural terpene alcohols, sterols, plant phenols, and camphar oxime (1a–20a) by reaction with o-carborane-C-carboxylic acid chloride. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 434–436, September–October, 2006.     

3,6-Di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinone complexes of copper(1) with bidentate bis(diphenylphosphine) ligands. Synthesis, structures, and properties

New mononuclear 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinone complexes of copper(1) with bis(diphenylphosphine) ligands were synthesized: (DBSQ)Cu(dppe) (1) (DBSQ=3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinone and dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), (DBSQ)Cu(dppp) (2) (dppp=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane), (DBSQ)Cu(dppn) (3) (dppn=2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl), and (DBSQ)Cu(dppfc) (4) (dppfc=1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene). The compositions and structures of complexes1–4 were characterized by elemental analysis and electronic absorption, IR, and ESR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of complexes3 and4 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The reactions of elimination and replacement of neutral ligands in the coordination sphere of the complexes were studied by ESR spectroscopy. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2333–2340, November, 1998.     

Three antibacterial compounds from the roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteris multifida</Emphasis>

A new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, 3β-caffeoxyl-1β,8α-dihydroxyeudesm-4(15)-ene (1), together with two known compounds including ludongnin V (2) and isoneorautenol (3), were isolated from the roots of Pteris multifida. Their structures were determined by spectral and chemical methods, with their antibacterial activities being evaluated by the microdilution technique, respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 41–43, January–February, 2009.     

Norditerpene Alkaloids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Delphinium cuneatum</Emphasis>

A mixture of two new norditerpene alkaloids consisting of two regioisomers was isolated from the total alkaloids of Delphinium cuneatum roots. Their structures were proposed as 16-demethoxydelavaine (2a and b) on the basis of PMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and mass spectra. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 467–468, September–October, 2005.     

A new triterpene glycoside from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Premna microphylla</Emphasis>

A new triterpene glycoside, namely 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside tormentic acid ester, was isolated from the leaves of Premna microphylla, together with two known triterpenes, i.e., arjunolic acid (2) and hyptatic acid A (3). Its structure was established by mass-spectrometric and spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques. This is the first report of the isolation of triterpenes from this plant. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 173–174, March–April, 2009.     

Synthesis of 20-hydroxyecdysone 6-chloronicotinates

New esters 2-5 that contain 6-chloropyridine groups characteristic of the alkaloid epibatidine were prepared by acylation of 20-hydroxyecdysone (1) by 6-chloronicotinoylchloride. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 328–331, May–June, 2009.     

Antifeedant and antifouling briaranes from the South China Sea gorgonian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Junceella juncea</Emphasis>

A new briarane diterpene, juncin ZII (1), along with three known briaranes (2–4), was isolated from the EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian Junceella juncea. The structure of 1 was established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data. For compounds 1–4 and eight other briaranes (5–12) isolated from J. juncea previously, the antifeedant activity against second-instar larvae of Spodoptera litura and cytotoxicity against S. litura cells were investigated, and it was observed that they all exhibit medium antifeedant activity. Compounds 1, 8, 9, and 12 also showed potent antifouling activity against the larval settlement of barnacle Balanus amphitrite at nontoxic concentrations with EC₅₀ values of 0.004, 0.005, 2.82, and 0.447 μg/mL, respectively, while all compounds did not show obvious cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines K562, A549, Hela, and Hep-2. Their structure-activity relationship was discussed. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 44–47, January–February, 2009.     

Furofuran lignans from the bark of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnolia kobus</Emphasis>

A new furofuran lignan (1) along with four knownones (2-5) were isolated from the bark of Magnolia kobus. Their structures were elucidated as (+)-2α-(3’,4’-dimethoxyphenyl)-6α-(3″-hydroxy-4″,5″-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1), (+)-sesamin (2), (+)-yangambin (3), (+)-kobusin (4), and (+)-eudesmin (5) on the basis of their comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR, and by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 338–341, July–August, 2008.     

Sesquiterpene and iridoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Valeriana pseudofficinalis</Emphasis> roots

A new sesquiterpene, named valeriene (1), along with three iridoids, namely valepotriate (2), dihydrovaltrate (3) and acevaltrate (4) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Valeriana pseudofficinalis roots. The structures of these compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR, MS techniques, and X-ray single crystal diffractometry. This is the first report of the chemical components isolated from this plant. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 308–310, May–June, 2009.