Synthesis of S-Containing Derivatives of the Sesquiterpene Lactone Britanin

The optimal method for isolating the sesquiterpene lactone britanin from the aerial part of Inula britannica L. (Asteraceae) was developed. Britanin was functionalized by reacting it with methyl mercaptoacetate.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 37–38, January–February, 2005.     

Sesquiterpenoids, alantolactone analogues, and seco-guaiene from the roots of Inula helenium

Three new sesquiterpenoids, a new unusual dimeric eudesmanolide, bialantolactone, a new nor-eudesmanolide, trinoralantolactone, and a new seco-guaiene, 7S,1(10)Z-4,5-seco-guaia-1(10),11-diene-4,5-dioxo, together with 13 known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the roots of Inula helenium. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of bialantolactone and 7S,1(10)Z-4,5-seco-guaia-1(10),11-diene-4,5-dioxo were defined via the experimental and computational optical rotation and CD data. The plausible biosynthetic pathways to bialantolactone and 7S,1(10)Z-4,5-seco-guaia-1(10),11-diene-4,5-dioxo are discussed. 16 compounds were evaluated for their anti-bacterial activities against six bacteria.     

Separation and determination of alantolactone and isoalantolactone in traditional Chinese herbs by capillary electrophoresis

A simple micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method, using a 20 mM borate buffer (pH 8.0) with 25 mM SDS in the presence of 10% (V/V) methanol, was established for the identification and determination of two isomers, alantolactone (AL) and isoalantolactone (IAL), in the extracts of Inula helenium L. and Inula racemosa Hook f. Regression equations revealed linear relationships (correlation coefficients: 0.9990 for AL, 0.9991 for IAL) between the peak area of AL and IAL and their concentration. The relative standard deviations of the migration time and peak area of the two constituents were 1.51, 1.62 and 2.01, 1.98%, respectively. The recoveries of the two constituents ranged between 95–105% for AL and 93–108% for IAL.     

Photochemical isomerization of 2H-imidazoleN-oxides

1,3-Diaza-6-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-enes and their 3-oxides were obtained by the photolysis of 2H-imidazole 1-oxides and 2H-imidazole 1,3-dioxides. 1,3-Diaza-6-oxabicyclo [3.1.0]hex-3-ene 3-oxides are thermally unstable and are converted to the starting 2H-imidazole 1,3-dioxides; their further photolysis affords a mixture of stereoisomeric 1,3-diaza-4,7-dioxatricyclo [4.1.0.0^3,5]heptanes.For the previous communication, see Ref. 1.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2096–2100, December, 1993.     

Symmetry properties of chemical graphs VIII. On complementarity of isomerization modes

Isomerization mode defines the process of interconversion of one isomer into another. Several mechanisms are conceivable for degenerate rearrangements and, in general, lead to a distinctive network of relations between participating isomers. Here we consider selected modes which are complementary in the sense that if mode 1 transforms an isomer A into B, C, D etc., then mode 2 transforms the same isomer A into X, Y, Z, etc., which includes all isomers not comprised by the first mode. Physico-chemical complementarity can be translated into mathematical complementarity of associated chemical graphs. This allows us to use the tool of Graph Theory. One example of graph theoretical use is the theorem that graph G and its complement G have the same automorphism group (i.e., the same symmetry). We have shown that a close examination of a graph and its complement and their components allows us to recognize the automorphism group in some complex cases without resorting to canonical numbering or other involved procedures, and even allows us to determine isomorphism of different processes.Dedicated to Professor Kurt Mislow of Princeton UniversityOperated for the U.S. Department of Energy by Iowa State University under contract W-7405-Eng-82. Supported in part by the Office of the Director.     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for three sesquiterpenoids from Inula helenium

The complete assignments of all the (1)H and (13)C NMR signals of three sesquiterpene lactones, 4-oxo-5(6),11-eudesmadiene-8,12-olide (1), 4-oxo-11-eudesmaene-8,12-olide (2) and (1(10)E)-5beta-Hydroxygermacra-1(10),4(15),11-trien-8, 12-olide (3), were carried out by various 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1-3 were isolated from the roots of Inula helenium for the first time. Among them, 1 was identified as a new nor-sesquiterpene lactone, and 2 was isolated from a natural source for the first time. The (13)C-NMR data of compound 3 was also reported for the first time.     

Effect of the nature of zeolite and modifying additives on the activity of zeolite-containing catalysts inn-butane isomerization

Isomerization ofn-butane on various types of zeolites (ZVM, ZVK, mordenite, and Y) modified with transition metals and cationic and anionic additives was investigated. Under the conditions studied, H-forms of zeolites are inactive. Pt-containing systems based on the H-form of ZVM (HZVM) are the most efficient catalysts forn-butane isomerization, and the yield of isobutane reaches 20–26 wt.% at a selectivity of 40–45%. Modification of this catalyst with Ga and Fe compounds or with an aqueous solution of HCl increases the selectivity with respect to isobutane up to 70–90%. Introduction of Zn²⁺ cations or F⁻ and SO₄ ²⁻ anions into the Pt-containing HZVM system decreases the selectivity and yield of isobutane due to the formation of very strong acidic centers on which disproportionation and hydrocracking ofn-butane mainly occur. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1281–1285, July, 1999.     

Dihydroridentin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia pontica</Emphasis> and its Stereochemistry

The germacranolide 11,13-dihydroridentin, for which the previously unknown S-configuration of the asymmetric center on C-11 was established, was isolated for the first time from Artemisia pontica L. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 341–342, July–August, 2005.     

Effect of iridium loading on HZSM-5 for isomerization of n-heptane

The effect of iridium loading on the properties and catalytic isomerization of n-heptane over Ir-HZSM-5 is studied. Ir-HZSM-5 was prepared by impregnation method and subjected to isomerization process in the presence of flowing hydrogen gas. XRD and BET studies show that the presence of iridium stabilizes the crystalline structure of HZSM-5, leading to more ordered framework structure and larger surface area. TGA and FTIR results substantiate that iridium species interacts with OH group on the surface of HZSM-5. Pyridine FT-IR study verifies the interaction between iridium and surface OH group slightly increased the Bro¨nsted and Lewis acid sites without changing the lattice structure of HZSM-5. The presence of iridium and the increase of strong Lewis acid sites on HZSM-5 were found to bring an increase about 4.1%, 33.2% and 11.8% in conversion, selectivity and yield of n-heptane isomerization, respectively.     

Theoretical studies on the structures and isomerization of the LiSiF3 system

Various possible isomers of LiSiF₃ system and isomerization between them have been studied at G2(MP2) level usingab initio calculations. The relative energies of four minimum points on the potential energy surface are-128.6,-194.3,-12.7 and-122.8 kJ/mol (taking the sum of the energies of LiF and SiF₂ as zero). The structural energy of the four-membered ring that contains three F-Si-F-Li four-membered rings with C_3v symmetry is the lowest. The highest potential barrier for the isomerization of the remaining three- or four-membered structure is 12.5 kJ/ mol. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29673026).     

Stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-diamino-1,2-diarylethane derivatives

A procedure was developed for selective opening of the cis-2,4,5-triarylimidazoline ring to form erythro-1,2-diamino-1,2-diarylethane derivatives. These ring-opening products, erythro-ethylenediamine derivatives, can undergo quantitative isomerization to threo-ethylenediamine derivatives in the presence of strong bases in DMSO.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 206–209, January, 2005.     

Pt/SO42??ZrO2: The state of platinum and its relation with catalytic activity inn-hexane isomerization

Pt/SO₄ ²⁻−ZrO₂ calcined at 873 K shows the same catalytic activity forn-hexane isomerization as the calcined and reduced sample. A platinum reduction peak did not appear in the TPR profile and the presence of Pt⁰ was detected by XPS on the only calcined Pt/SO₄ ²⁻−ZrO₂. Nevertheless, this calcined material does not show hydrogen chemisorption and cyclohexane dehydrogenation activity.     

Structure and biological activity of α-santonin chloro-derivatives

2-Chloro-4,5α-epoxy-α-santonin and 2-chloro-α-santonin, the molecular structure of which was confirmed by an XSA, were produced by reacting α-santonin and chlorine in aqueous acetonitrile. It was found that 2-chloro-α-santonin is highly effective against trichomonas. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 30–33, January–February, 2006.     

n-Alkane isomerization on heteropolyacids

Acid-base properties of bulk 12-tungstophosphoric heteropolyacid (HPWA) and HPWA supported on alumina and fluorinated alumina were studied by DRIFT spectroscopy using adsorption of probe molecules. Catalytic properties of Pt-containing catalysts carried by these supports were studied inn-pentane isomerization. It was shown that the Pt/HPWA/Al₂O₃ system is almost inactive in isomerization as a result of the interaction of HPWA with basic sites of the alumina support. On the contrary, the presence of acidic sites in fluorinated alumina prevents HPWA destruction and favors the uniform distribution of HPWA on the support surface. As a result, enhancement of the activity and selectivity of the Pt/HPWA/Al₂O₃-F catalyst inn-pentane isomerization is observed. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1744–1750, October, 2000.     

Design of Conjugates Based on Sesquiterpene Lactones with Polyalkoxybenzenes by “Click” Chemistry to Create Potential Anticancer Agents

Using the methodology of “click” chemistry, a singular method has been developed for the synthesis of unique conjugates based on sesquiterpene lactones: dehydrocostuslactone and alantolactone with polyalkoxybenzenes. To expand the structural range of the resulting conjugates, the length of the 1,2,3-triazole spacer was varied. For all synthesized compounds, the cytotoxic profile was determined on the cell lines of tumor origin (SH-SY5Y, HeLa, Hep-2, A549) and normal Hek 293 cells. It was found that the compounds based on alantolactone 7a–d with a long spacer and substances containing dehydrocostuslactone 10a–d with a short spacer have the greatest toxic effect. The decrease in cell survival under the action of these conjugates may be due to their ability to cause dissipation of the transmembrane potential of mitochondria and inhibit the process of glycolysis, leading to cell death. The obtained results confirm the assumption that the development of conjugates based on sesquiterpene lactones and polyalkoxybenzenes can be considered as a promising strategy for the search for potential antitumor agents.     

Photochemical and electrochemical Z–E isomerization of 1,4-dialkoxy-2,5-bis[2-(thien-2-yl)ethenyl]benzene stereoisomers

The group of 1,4-dialkoxy-2,5-bis[2-(thien-2-yl)ethenyl]benzene stereoisomers was synthesized in which methoxy- and ethoxy-groups were used as alkoxy-substituents. These isomers were characterized as solution species both electrochemically and spectroscopically. As expected, these compounds, having a stilben like structure, are the subject of photoisomerization, which is described and discussed. It is demonstrated how electrochemical process may cause isomerization of the double CC bonds in that group of compounds. An attempt of using electrochemical methods to monitor the process of photoisomerization of these compounds is presented. Mechanism of the oxidatively induced electrochemical isomerization has been proposed and discussed. The electrochemical isomerization mechanism is verified by digital simulation, which allowed estimating basic kinetic parameters of the processes.     

在酸性条件下合成氧化亚铜纳米立方体(英)

在微酸性(pH：4～6)的水热体系中130 ℃反应18 h合成了氧化亚铜纳米粒子，粒径约为100 nm，呈立方体外形。乙二胺和十六烷基胺在反应体系中充当缓冲试剂，调节反应液的pH值并控制体系中游离Cu²⁺的浓度，使得Cu²⁺不会被迅速还原成单质铜。所合成的纳米立方体的能带宽度约为2.51 eV，比氧化亚铜体材料和氧化亚铜纳米线蓝移了0.51 eV和0.17 eV，它有利于把太阳光谱中能量高的可见光转化成其他形式的能量。     

Synthesis and photoinduced isomerization ofansa{·5,·5′-[1,1′-(1-silacyclopent-3-ene-1,1-diyl)bis(indenyl)]} dichlorozirconium The crystal structure of itsmeso form

ansa{·⁵,·⁵′-[1,1′-(1-silacyclopent-3-ene-1,1-diyl)bis(indenyl)]} dichlorozirconium (1a,b) was synthesized. The crystal structure ofmeso-[(1,4-CH₂CH=CHCH₂)Si(C₉H₆)₂ZrCl₂] (1b) was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Photoinduced interconversion of the racemic (1a) andmeso forms was studied under various conditions. The photostationary state (rac: meso=55∶45) was established rapidly when solutions ofansa-zirconocene were irradiated with visible light. Deceased Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2351–2356, November, 1998.     

Catalytic behavior in skeletal isomerization of linear butenes and acidic properties of ani-Pr2NH-templated sapo-11 molecular sieve

SAPO-11 samples were synthesized withi-Pr₂NH as a novel template, and applied in catalytic skeletal isomerization of linear butenes. More linear butenes were converted with increasing Si content in SAPO-11 samples, while theiso-butene selectivity was proportional to the Si content only in the lower reaction temperature region. The maximum yield ofiso-butene was achieved around 763 K. The acidic properties of SAPO-11 samples were studied by NH₃-TPD and IR spectroscopy. The strong acidity was due to the formation of Si domains in the framework lattice.     

From Monographs to Chromatograms: The Antimicrobial Potential of Inula helenium L. (Elecampane) Naturalised in Ireland

With antimicrobial resistance rising globally, the exploration of alternative sources of candidate molecules is critical to safeguard effective chemotherapeutics worldwide. Plant natural products are accessible, structurally diverse compounds with antimicrobial potential. The pharmacological applications of plants in medicine can be guided by the attestation of traditional use, as demonstrated in this study. In Irish ethnomedical literature, Inula helenium L. (elecampane) is often indicated for respiratory and dermal ailments. This is the first assessment of antimicrobial sesquiterpene lactones from the roots of elecampane, naturalised in Ireland. Traditional hydro-ethanolic extracts were prepared from multi-origin elecampane roots. A novel clean-up strategy facilitated the bioactivity-guided fractionation of a subset of anti-staphylococcal fractions (the compositions of which were investigated using HPLC-DAD, supported by ¹H NMR). The natural products attributing to the antimicrobial activity, observed in vitro, were identified as alantolactone (1), isoalantolactone (2), igalan (3), and an unseparated mixture of dugesialactone (4) and alloalantolactone (5), as major compounds. The findings suggest that the geographical origin of the plant does not influence the anti-bacterial potency nor the chemical composition of traditional elecampane root. Considering the prevalence of staphylococci-associated infections and associated broad spectrum resistance in Irish hospitals, currently, further research is warranted into the usage of the identified compounds as potential candidates in the control of staphylococcal carriage and infection.