New Optically Active 2H‐Azirin‐3‐amines as Synthons for Enantiomerically Pure 2,2‐Disubstituted Glycines: Synthesis of Synthons for Tyr(2Me) and Dopa(2Me), and Their Incorporation into Dipeptides

The synthesis of novel unsymmetrically 2,2‐disubstituted 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines with chiral auxiliary amino groups is described. Chromatographic separation of the mixture of diastereoisomers yielded (1′R,2S)‐ 2a , b and (1′R,2R)‐ 2a , b (c.f. Scheme 1 and Table 1), which are synthons for (S)‐ and (R)‐2‐methyltyrosine and 2‐methyl‐3′,4′‐dihydroxyphenylalanine. Another new synthon 2c , i.e., a synthon for 2‐(azidomethyl)alanine, was prepared but could not be separated into its pure diastereoisomers. The reaction of 2 with thiobenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and the amino acid Fmoc‐Val‐OH yielded the monothiodiamides 11 , the diamides 12 (cf. Scheme 3 and Table 3), and the dipeptides 13 (cf. Scheme 4 and Table 4), respectively. From 13 , each protecting group was removed selectively under standard conditions (cf. Schemes 5–7 and Tables 5–6). The configuration at C(2) of the amino acid derivatives (1R,1′R)‐ 11a , (1R,1′R)‐ 11b , (1S,1′R)‐ 12b , and (1R,1′R)‐ 12b was determined by X‐ray crystallography relative to the known configuration of the chiral auxiliary group.     

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.     

Mechanistic and Synthetic Studies on the Formation of 1,2,4-Trioxanes Related to Arteannuin. Photooxygenation of a bicyclic dihydropyran

The photooxygenation of (4R,4aS,7R)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-3H-2-benzopyran ( 16 ) was performed in (i) MeOH, (ii) acetaldehyde, and (iii) acetone at ?78°. The products obtained respectively were (i) (2R)-2-[(1S,4R)-4-methyl-2-oxocyclohexyl]propyl formate ( 17 ; 72% yield), (ii) 17 (54.5%), (1R,4R,4aS,7R)-3,4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1H-2-benzopyran-2-yl hydroperoxide ( 19 ; 16.7%), a 12:1 ratio of (3R,4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,7,10-trimethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4-trioxane ( 20 ) and its C(3)-epimer 21 (17%), together with evidence for the 1,2-dioxetane ( 22 ) originating from the addition of dioxygen to the re-re face of the double bond of 16 , and iii) unidentified products and traces of 22 . Addition of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me₃SiOTf) to the acetone solution of 16 after photooxygenation afforded (4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,3,7,10-tetramethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4,-trioxane ( 23 , 40%). The photooxygenation of 16 in CH₂Cl₂ at ?78° followed by addition of acetone and Me₃SiOTf afforded 17 (11%), 23 (59%), and (4aR,7R,7aS,10R,11aR)-7,7a,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-3,3,7,10-tetramethyl-6H-[2]benzopyrano[8a,1-e]-1,2,4-trioxane ( 24 ; 5%. Repetition of the last experiment, but replacing acetone by cyclopentanone, gave 17 (16%), (4′aR,7′R,7′aS,10′R,11′aR)-7′,7′a,8′,9′,10′,11′-hexahydro-7′,10′-dimethylspiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-6′H-[2]benzopyrano[1,8a-e]-1,2,4-trixane] ( 25 ; 61%), and (4′aR,7′R,7′aS,10′R,11′aR)-7′,7′a,8′,9′,10′,11′-hexahydro-7′,10′-dimethylspiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-6′H-[2]benzopyrano[8a,1-e]-1,2,4-trixane] ( 26 , 4%). The X-ray analysis of 23 was performed, which together with the NMR data, established the structure of the trioxanes 20, 21, 24, 25 , and 26 . Mechanistic and synthesis aspects of these reactions were discussed in relation to the construction of the 1,2,4-trioxane ring in arteannuin and similar molecules.     

Synthese von Alkylphenolen und -pyrocatecholen aus Plectranthus albidus (Labiatae)

Synthesis of Alkylphenols and -catechols from Plectranthus albidus (Labiatae) In the preceding paper, we described the isolation and structure elucidation of a series of even-numbered phenol- or pyrocatechol-derived 1-arylalkane-5-ones. To establish the assigned structures unambiguously and to have larger quantities available for physiological testing, the following compounds were prepared: in the alkylphenol series, 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)tetradecan-5-one ( 2a ), 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)hexadecan-5-one ( 2b ), and 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadecan-5-one ( 2c ); in the alkylcatechol series, 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)decan-5-one ( 3a ; not isolated as a natural compound), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-5-one ( 3b ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)tetradecan-5-one ( 3c ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)hexadecan-5-one ( 3d ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)octadecan-5-one ( 3e ), and 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)icosan-5-one ( 3f ); in the alkenylphenol series, (Z)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 4a ) and (E)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 4b ); in the alkenylcatechol series, (E,E)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)deca-1,3-dien-5-one ( 1 ) and (Z)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 5 ). All compounds proved to be identical with the previously assigned structures. Compound 1 was synthesized by regioselective aldol condensation of heptan-2-one with (E)-1-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enal ( 6d ; Scheme 1), the phenols 2a–c and the catechols 3a–f by addition of the corresponding alkyl Grignard reagent to 5-(4′-methoxyphenyl)- or 5-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)pentanal ( 17c and 18c , resp.; Scheme 4), and the olefins 4a, 4b and 5 from 17c or 18c via the 9-O-silyl-protected 13-(4′-methoxyphenyl)- or 13-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)tridecanals ( 26 and 27 , resp.) and Wittig olefination as the key steps (Scheme 5).     

Spirocoleone: Synthese und Charakterisierung von vier diastereomeren Spiro (methylcyclopropan)-Substrukturen; Revision der Konfiguration an C(12) und C(15) von Coleon P und Derivaten sowie von Coleon-Z-Derivaten; Röntgenstrukturanalysen von Lanugon J und weiteren Spirocoleonen

Spirocoleons: Synthesis and Characterization of Four Diastereomeric Spiro (methylcyclopropane) Substructures; Revision of the Configuration at C(12) and C(15) of Coleon P and Derivatives and Coleon-Z Derivatives; X-Ray Analysis of Lanugon J and of Further Spirocoleons X-ray analyses show the correctness of the previously published structure of coleon Q (1) , establish the structure of lanugon J (4a) , and necessitate a revision of the configuration at C(12) and C(15) in coleon P (3a) and its derivatives 3b and 3c , and furthermore of the coleon Z derivatives 11a–11d . Two further diastereomeric spiro (methylcyclopropane) substructures have been generated by photoisomerization of lanugon J (4a) and 12-O-desacetylcoleon N (8) ; they represent the novel cis-type B with (12R, 13R, 15S)- and the novel trans-type D with (12R, 13R, 15R)-configuration (Scheme 1). The structures of the photoproducts 5a ((12R, 13R, 15R)-lanugon J) and 7a ((12R, 13R, 15S)-lanugon J) were established by X-ray analysis. So far, only two of the eight possible diastereomers of the spiro-(methylcyclopropane) substructure I have been detected in nature, i.e. the trans-type A with (12R, 13S, 15S)- and the cis-type C with (12R, 13S, 15R)-configuration. The four diastereomers A-D , all possessing (12R)-configuration, show very similar properties. However, careful comparison of spectral and chiroptical data allow a differentiation, even in the case of functionalization of H₃C(17). The (12S)-counter-parts could not yet be prepared.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus 6-Oxo-isophoron. IV. Neues Konzept für die Synthese von (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3S, 3′S)- und (3R, 3′R)-9,9′-dicis-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. IV. A Novel Concept for the Synthesis of (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3S, 3′S)- and (3R, 3′R)-9,9′-dicis-7,8,7′,8′-Tetradehydroastaxanthin Starting from readily available intermediates of the synthesis of astaxanthin, (3RS, 3′RS)-, (3R, 3′R)- and (3S, 3′S)-9,9′-di-cis-tetradehydroastaxanthin ( 1, 1a and 1b , resp.) were synthesized, 1 and 1b for the first time. Key features of this concept are: a) use of the unprotected, acetylenic phosphonium salts 8–12 , b) a two-step synthesis with 47% overall yield, and c) good chemical and optical purity of the end products.     

Synthesis of Heteroanellated Pyranosides Starting from Methyl 4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2,3‐dideoxy‐α‐d‐erythro‐hexopyranosid‐2‐ylidenemalononitrile

The hexopyranosid‐2‐ylidenemalononitrile 1 reacted with phenyl isothiocyanate in the presence of triethylamine to furnish (2R,4aR,6S,10bS)‐8‐amino‐4a,6,10,10b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenyl‐10‐phenylimino‐4H‐thiopyrano[3′,4′:4,5]pyrano[3,2‐d][1,3]dioxine‐7‐carbonitrile (2). Starting from 1, cyclization with sulphur and diethylamine yielded (2R,4aR,6S,9bR)‐8‐amino‐4,4a,6,9b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenylthieno[2′,3′:4,5]pyrano[3,2‐d][1,3]dioxine‐7‐carbonitrile (3), which could be transformed into the corresponding aminomethylenamino derivative 4 by treatment with triethyl orthoformate and ammonia. Intramolecular cyclization of 4 to yield (2R,4aR,6S,11bR)‐4,4a,6,11b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐2‐phenyl[1,3]dioxino[4″,5″:5′,6′]pyrano[3′,4′:4,5]thieno [2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐amine (5) was achieved by using NaH as base. (2R,4aR,6S,9bS)‐8‐Amino‐4a,6,9,9b‐tetrahydro‐6‐methoxy‐9‐(4‐methylphenyl‐sulfonyl)‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐[1,3]dioxino[4′,5′:5,6]pyrano[4,3‐b]pyrrole‐7‐carbonitrile (6) was prepared by treatment of compound 1 with tosylazide and triethylamine.     

Stereoselektive Totalsynthese von natürlichem Phytol und Phytolderivaten und deren Verwendung zur Herstellung von natürlichem Vitamin K1

Steroselective Total Synthesis of Natural Phytol and Derivatives thereof; Use of these Compounds in the Synthesis of Natural Vitamin K₁ The Li₂CuCl₄-catalyzed couplings of the easily accessible bifunctional C₅ allylic acetates (E)- 18a and (E)- 18b with racemic hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide ((3 RS/RS, 7 RS/SR)- 19a ) proceed with high chemo- and stereoselectivity (≥98% (E)-retention) to give the (2E, 7 RS/RS, 11 RS/SR)-phytol derivatives 1a and 1b , respectively, in yields of 72–80% (Scheme 5). The same couplings performed with optically active hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide (3 R, 7 R)- 19a yielded the (E)-phytol derivatives of the natural series (7 R, 11R)- 1a and (7 R, 11 R)- 1b. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of(2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1b gave natural phytol((2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1c ) Friedel-Crafts alkylation of ‘menadiol monobenzoate’ 11b with (2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1a or (2 E, 7 R, 11 R)- 1b gave the dihydrovitamine K₁ derivative (2 E/Z, 7′ R, 11′R)- 12b ((E/Z)≈? 9:l). Conversion of configurationally pure (2 E, 7′ R, 11′ R)- 12b (yield 73%; obtained after chromatographic removal of the (Z)-isomer) into natural vitamine K₁ ((2 E,7′ R, 11′ R)- 2 ) was achieved in the usual way by saponification and oxidation with air. Some further investigations of the coupling reactions of bifunctional C₅ allylic synthons with hexahydrofarnesylmagnesium bromide (3 RS/RS, 7 RS/SR)- 19a showed the outcome of these reactions to be critically dependent on the nature of the leaving group, the double-bond geometry and the nature and concentration of the catalyst. Thus, the Li₂CuCl₄-catalyzed couplings of (3 RS/RS,7 RS/SR)- 19a with the allylic halides 29a and 29c as well as with p-toluenesulfonate 29b yielded besides the phytol derivatives 1a and 1b - also the S_N2′-type products 30a and 30b (Scheme 8, Table 2); the same result was found for the coupling with the cis-configurated allylic acetates (Z)- 18a and (Z)- 18b (Table 3). A similar loss of chemo selectivity as well as the loss of stereoselectivity in the coupling reactions of 19 with the bifunctional (E)-olefins of type 18 was observed when the Li₂CuCl₄-catalyst concentration was increased from 0.2 to 25 mol-% or upon substitution of Li₂CuCl₄ by copper (I) chloride or iodide (Table 4).     

The synthesis of two novel fused thienopyridopyridazines

Two previously unknown thienopyridopyridazine ring systems, thieno[2′,3′:5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazine-5,8,9(4H,6H,7H)-trione ( 4 ) and thieno[3′,2′:5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazine-4,5,8(6H,7H,9H)-trione ( 10 ) were synthesized and their chlorination reactions with phosphorus oxychloride were investigated.     

1,6-Eliminationsreaktionen an Spirocoleonon; Charakterisierung der ersten Spiro[(methylcyclopropan)-phenanthren]-1,3-dion-Derivate

Preparation of the First Spiro[(methylcyclopropan)-phenanthrene]-1,3-dione Derivatives by 1,6-Elimination Reactions of Spirocoleons Spirocoleons, e.g. coleon J ( 1 ), on treatment with 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) in aprotic solvents, undergo enolization followed by a rapid 1,6-elimination with formation of the hitherto unknown 2-methyl-spiro[cyclopropane-1,2′(1′H)-phenanthrene]-1′,3′(4′bH)-dione system, e.g. 3 . In protic solvents, base-catalyzed solvolysis of the spirocyclopropane predominates.     

Cytotoxic flavonoids from two Lonchocarpus species

A new isoflavone, 4′-prenyloxyvigvexin A (1) and a new pterocarpan, (6aR,11aR)-3,8-dimethoxybitucarpin B (2) were isolated from the leaves of Lonchocarpus bussei and the stem bark of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx, respectively. The extract of L. bussei also gave four known isoflavones, maximaisoflavone H, 7,2′-dimethoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyisoflavone, 6,7,3′-trimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyisoflavone, durmillone; a chalcone, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin; a geranylated phenylpropanol, colenemol; and two known pterocarpans, (6aR,11aR)-maackiain and (6aR,11aR)-edunol. (6aR,11aR)-Edunol was also isolated from the stem bark of L. eriocalyx. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested by resazurin assay using drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines. Significant antiproliferative effects with IC₅₀ values below 10 μM were observed for the isoflavones 6,7,3′-trimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyisoflavone and durmillone against leukemia CCRF-CEM cells; for the chalcone, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin and durmillone against its resistant counterpart CEM/ADR5000 cells; as well as for durmillone against the resistant breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB231/BCRP cells and resistant gliobastoma U87MG.ΔEGFR cells.     

Preparation of Partially Acetylated Carotenoids

Partially acetylated carotenoids were prepared from fully acetylated carotenoids by reaction with NaBH₄, and were characterized by UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR and mass spectra. The 3,6′‐diacetate, 3′,6′‐diacetate, and 6′‐acetate 10 – 12 , respectively, of (6′R)‐capsanthol (=(3R,3′S,5′R,6′R)‐β,κ‐carotene‐3,3′,6′‐triol; 4 ) were obtained from (6′R)‐capsanthol‐3,3′,6′‐triacetate ( 9 ), and the 3‐ and 3′‐acetates 13 and 14 , respectively, of 4 from (6′R)‐capsanthol 3,3′‐diacetate ( 8 ). The utility of this method was also demonstrated by the preparation of zeaxanthin and lutein monoacetates 16, 19 , and 20 .     

Diterpenoide Chinomethane,vinyloge Chinone und ein Phyllocladan-Derivat aus Plectranthus purpuratus HARV. (Labiatae)

Diterpenoids from Leaf Glands of Plectranthus purpuratus: p-Quinomethanes, Extended Quinones, p-Acylcatechols and a Novel Phyllocladanon Derivative From the complex mixture of terpenoids from the title plant, the following novel diterpenoids have been isolated: 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyloxy)-5,7,9 (11), 13-abietatetraen-12-one ( 1a / 1b ), 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyl-oxy)-7,9(11), 13-abietatrien-6,12-dione ( 2a / 2b ), 6α, 11-dihydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 6α, 11 -dihydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyloxy)-7,9 (11), 13-abieta-trien-12-one ( 3a / 3b ), 11,12-dihydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 11,12-di-hydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyloxy)-8,11,13-abietatrien-7-one ( 4a / 4b ), and (16R)-17,19-diacetoxy-16-hydroxy-13β-kauran-3-one (=(16R)-17,19-diacetoxy-16-hydro-xyphyllocladan-3-one; 10 ). Compounds 2 and 3 are derivates of taxodione and taxodone, respectively, 4 is a derivative of cryptojaponol. The structure of 10 is Wised on a single-crystal- X -ray analysis and CD . data.     

3,6-Thioanhydro sugar derivatives. An enantiospecific synthesis of (2R,3R,4S)-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2-[(R)-1-benzyloxy-4-hydroxybutyl]thiolane as the key intermediate for thioswainsonine

Methyl 2-O-benzyl-3,6-thioanhydro-α-D-mannopyranoside ( 9 ) was obtained in eight steps from the commercially available methyl α-D-glucopyranoside. Compound 9 was transformed into (2R,3R,4S)-3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxy-2-[(R)-1-benzyloxy-4-hydroxybutyl]thiolane ( 14 ) by acid hydrolysis of its 2,4-di-O-benzyl derivative 10 followed by reaction of the not isolated 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3,6-thioanhydro-D-mannose ( 11 ) with ethoxycarbonylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane to give an = 1:1 E/Z mixture of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ester ( 12 ). Finally, catalytic hydrogenation of 12 to ethyl (R)-4-benzyloxy-4-[(2′R)3′R,4′S)-3′-benzyloxy-4′-hydroxythiolan-2′-yl]butanoate ( 13 ) and subsequent reduction with lithium aluminum hydride gave the title compound 14 .     

Polyazasteroids II.. 1,2,4-Triazolol[3′,4′:2,3]pyrimido[4,5-c]quinolin- 11(12H)ones,imidazo[2′,1′:2,3]pyrimido[4,5-c]quinolin-11(12H)ones and 2,3-dihydroimidazo[2′,1′:2,3] pyrimido[4,5-c]quinolin-11(12H)ones

Starting with 2-substituted quinoline-3,4-dicarboxylic acids, a series of substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-c]quinolinone-3-thiones were obtained. The latter compounds were converted to the three novel polyazasteroid series: 1,2,4-Triazolo[3′,4′:2,3]pyrimido[4,5-c]-quinolin-11(12H)ones, imidazo[2′,1′:2,3]pyrimido[4,5c]quinolin-11(12H)ones and 2,3-dihydroimidazo[2′,1′:2,3]pyrimido[4,5-c]quinolin-11(12H)ones. The intermediate 3-hydrazino-1,2-dihydropyrimido[4,5-c]quinolinones and nitrous acid gave the 3-azido derivatives rather than the tetrazolo compounds.     

Eine Suche nach 3′-Epilutein ( = (3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-Carotin-3,3′-diol) und 3′, O-Didehydrolutein (=(3R, 6′R)-3-Hydroxy-β,ε-carotin-3′-on) in Eigelb,in Blüten von Caltha palustris und in Herbstblättern

Search for the Presence in Egg Yolk, in Flowers of Caltha palustris and in Autumn Leaves of 3′-Epilutein ( =(3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-Carotene-3,3′-diol) and 3′,O-Didehydrolutein ( =(3R,6′R)-3-Hydroxy-β,ε-carotene-3′-one) 3′.O-Didehydrolutein ( =(3R, 6′R)-3-hydroxy-β,ε-carotene-3′-one; 2) has been detected in egg yolk and in flowers of Caltha palustris. This is the first record for its occurrence in a plant. The compound shows a remarkable lability towards base; therefore, it may have been overlooked til now, because it is destroyed under the usual conditions of saponification of the carotenoid-esters. One of the many products formed from 2 with 1% KOH in methanol has been purified and identified as the diketone 3 ( =(3R)-3-hydroxy-4′, 12′-retro-β,β-carotene-3′,12′-dione). The identification of this transformation product from lutein might throw a new light on the metabolism of this important carotenoid in green plants. 3′-Epilutein ( =(3R,3′S,6′R)-β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol; 1) was not detected in egg yolk, but is present besides lutein in flowers of C. palustris, thus confirming an earlier report of the occurrence of an isomeric (possibly epimeric) lutein (‘calthaxanthin’) in that plant [21]. We were not able to detect even traces of 1 or 2 in the carotenoid fraction from autumn leaves of Prunus avium (cherry), Parrotia persica, Acer montanum (maple) and yellow needles of Larix europaea (larch). α-Cryptoxanthin (4) , a very rare carotenoid, was isolated in considerable quantity for the first time from flowers of C. palustris.     

Diterpenoide Drüsenfarbstoffe aus Labiaten: Coleone U,V, W und 14-O-Formyl-coleon-V sowie 2 Royleanone aus Plectranthus myrianthus BRIQ.; cis- und trans-A/B-6, 7-Dioxoroyleanon

Leaf-gland Pigments: Coleons U, V, W, 14- O -Formyl-coleon-V, and two Royleanones from Plectranthus myrianthus BRIQ. ; cis - and trans -A/B-6,7-Dioxoroyleanones From leaf-glands of the South-African P. myrianthus (Labiatae) the following diterpenoids have been isolated and their structures established: coleon U, C₂₀H₂₆O₅ (6, 11, 12, 14-tetrahydroxy-abieta-5, 8, 11, 13-tetraene-7-one, 2a ); coleon V, C₂₀H₂₆O₅ (11, 12, 14-trihydroxy-abieta-8, 11, 13-triene-6, 7-dione, 4a ); coleon W, C₂₂H₂₈O₈ (16(or 17)-acetoxy-6, 11, 12, 14, 17 (or 16)-pentahydroxy-abieta-5, 8, 11, 13-tetraene-7-one, 6 ); 14-O-formyl-coleon-V, C₂₁H₂₆O₆ (14-formyloxy-11, 12-dihydroxy-abieta-8, 11, 13-triene-6, 7-dione, 4b ); 7α-formyloxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone, C₂₁H₂₈O₆ (7α-formyloxy-6β, 12-dihydroxy-abieta-8, 12-diene-11, 14-dione, 1a ); the already known 6β, 7α-dihydroxyroyleanone ( 1c ) and a dimeric abietane derivative whose structure is not yet elucidated. This is the first record of a co-occurrence of coleons and royleanones in the same plant. In the course of chemical investigations of 4a and 4b the highly oxidized trans- and cis-A/B-6,7-dioxoroyleanones ( 5a and 5b ) were obtained.     

Asymmetric Hydroformylation of Vinylfurans Catalyzed by {(11bS)‐4‐{[(1R)‐2′‐Phosphino[1,1′‐binaphthalen]‐2‐yl]oxy}dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f]‐ [1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin}rhodium(I) [RhI{(R,S)‐binaphos}] Derivatives

The asymmetric hydroformylation of 2‐ and 3‐vinylfurans ( 2a and 2b , resp.) was investigated by using [Rh{(R,S)‐binaphos}] complexes as catalysts ((R,S)‐binaphos = (11bS)‐4‐{[1R)‐2′‐phosphino[1,1′‐binaphthalen]‐2‐yl]oxy}dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin; 1 ). Hydroformylation of 2 gave isoaldehydes 3 in high regio‐ and enantioselectivities (Scheme 2 and Table). Reduction of the aldehydes 3 with NaBH₄ successfully afforded the corresponding alcohols 5 without loss of enantiomeric purity (Scheme 3).     

Phytochemical investigation on Myristica fragrans stem bark

Myristica fragrans Houtt., the source of very important spice ‘nutmeg’ used world over is native to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Southeast Asia. Phytochemical investigation of M. fragrans stem bark led to the isolation of bis-aryl dimethyl tetrahydrofuran lignans, such as grandisin [(7S,8S,7′S,8′S)-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy-7,7′,8,8′-lignan] and (7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy-7,7′,8,8′-lignan along with important lignans and neolignans, licarinA, licarin B, odoratisol A, (2S, 3R)-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-((E)-prop-1-enyl)-2-(5-methoxy,3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, elemicin, fragransin B₁, raphidecursinol B, erythro-(7S,8R)-Δ^8′-4,7-dihydroxy-3,5,3′-trimethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan, erythro-(7S,8R)-Δ⁸′-7-hydroxy-3,4,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan, surinamensin.and β-sitosterol. Structures of the 12 compounds isolated were unambiguously identified by various spectroscopic methods. The former two compounds were isolated from M. fragrans for the first time. Furthermore, the X-ray crystal structure of odoratisol A is reported in this paper for the first time.     

Trennung und absolute Konfiguration der C(8)-epimeren (all-E)-Neochrome (Trollichrome) und -Dinochrome

Separation and Absolute Configuration of the C(8)-Epimeric (app-E)-Neochromes (Trollichromes) and -Dinochromes The C(8′)-epimers of (all-E)-neochrome were separated by HPLC and carefully characterized. The faster eluted isomer, m.p. 197.8–198.3°, is shown to have structure 3 ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-dodehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). To the other isomer, m.p. 195-195.5°, we assign structure 6 , ((3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,8′R)-5′,8′-epoxy-6,7-didehydro-5,6,5′,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene-3,5,3′-triol). The already known epimeric dinochromes (= 3-O-acetylneochromes) can now be formulated as 4 and 5 , (‘epimer 1’ and its trimethylsilyl ether) and 7 and 8 , (‘epimer 2’ and its trimethylsilyl ether), respectively.