Fingerprint quality control of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with discriminant analysis

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed in the fingerprint analysis of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. A chromatographic profile of A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels from the Dingxi District of Gansu province, China, was established as the characteristic fingerprint. The feasibility and advantages of employing chromatographic fingerprint combined with discriminant analysis were investigated and demonstrated for the evaluation of A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels for the first time. Our results showed that the chromatographic fingerprint combining with discriminant analysis can efficiently distinguish A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels from various areas.     

An effective C-C double bond formation via Cu(I)-catalyzed dehydrogenation

A dehydrogenation method using Cu(I) and either N,N-di-tert-butylthiadiaziridine 1,1-dioxide or N,N-di-tert-butyldiaziridinone is reported. The dehydrogenation allows a facile introduction of C-C double bond(s) into various carbocycles and heterocycles such as oxazolines and thiazolines.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed reduction of N-alkoxy- and N-hydroxyamides

A ruthenium-catalyzed reduction of N-alkoxy- and N-hydroxyamides was found to afford corresponding amides in good to high yields. A simple RuCl₃/Zn-Cu/alcohol system, without the addition of any other ligands, exhibited a high catalytic activity, and therefore the present reaction does not require a stoichiometric amount of metals or metal complexes as reductants. When β-substituted-α,β-unsaturated N-methoxyamides were employed as substrates, concurrent hydrogenation of the olefin moiety proceeded slowly with deprotection of the methoxy group. In the reduction of N-hydroxyamides, the alcoholic solvent was found to function as a hydrogen donor.     

Chemical constituents of Ligularia virgaurea and its diversity in southwestern Sichuan of China

Chemical constituents of root extract and the nucleotide sequences of the atpB-rbcL intergenic region and the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) of the ribosomal RNA gene were studied for Ligularia virgaurea var. virgaurea collected in southwestern Sichuan Province of China. Eleven samples were collected. Four of them were found to contain four new furanoeremophilanes, virgaurenones A-D, as well as a new eremophilanolide, virgaurenolide A. The other samples contained different furanoeremophilanes and their derivatives including nor-type of compounds, two of which were new. Diversity was found to be present in the nucleotide sequences as well. The chemical composition was found to be correlated with the ITS variation but not with the geographic distribution of the samples.     

Palladium-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of (E)-β,γ-unsaturated amides

A facile Suzuki type cross-coupling reaction of alkenylborane with 2-bromo-N,N-dimethylacetamide in the presence of a catalytic amount of tricyclohexylphosphine as the ligand has been demonstrated to be a convenient way for the synthesis of (E)-β,γ-unsaturated amides.     

Synthesis of 5,6-dihydrophenanthridines via N,O-acetal TMS ethers

A concise and high-yielding protocol for the synthesis of 5,6-dihydrophenanthridines is disclosed. The key feature includes a sequential reduction-cyclization reaction of N-acylcarbamates via N,O-acetal TMS ethers as a stable N-acyliminium ion precursor.     

Highly selective acetoxylation of sulfonamides via using phenyliodine(III) diacetate

A highly efficient acetoxylation reaction of N-aryl-arylsulfonamides has been developed, presumably proceeding via the selective functionalization of N-aryl C–H bonds. A stoichiometric amount of PhI(OAc)₂ was generally employed as the oxidation reagent, and various para-acetoxylated sulfonamide derivatives had been generated in excellent yields. This chemistry endowed an economic synthesis of valuable acetoxylated sulfonamides through direct C–O bond formation processes.     

Titanium superoxide: a heterogeneous catalyst for anti-Markovnikov aminobromination of olefins

A new facile procedure for the aminobromination of olefins in high yields has been described using p-toluene sulfonamide (p-TsNH₂) and N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as nitrogen and bromine sources, respectively, and titanium superoxide as a truly heterogeneous catalyst. The formation of anti-Markovnikov product exclusively in all the cases studied possibly proceeding through a free radical reaction pathway is remarkable.     

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of aryldioxaborolane with 2-bromo-N,N-dimethylacetamide

A Suzuki-type cross-coupling of aryldioxaborolane with 2-bromo-N,N-dimethylacetamide in the presence of a catalytic amount of tricyclohexylphosphine as the ligand and hydroquinone as the free-radical scavenger has been demonstrated as a convenient and simple way for the synthesis of α-arylacetamide.     

Isolation, structural elucidation and synthesis of a novel antioxidative pseudo-di-peptide, Hanasanagin, and its biogenetic precursor from the Isaria japonica mushroom

The entomogenous ‘Hanasanagitake’ mushroom, Isaria japonica, is used as a folk medicine and as a traditional health food choice in Japan. A search for naturally occurring antioxidative compounds from the mushroom led to the isolation of a novel pseudo-di-peptide, named Hanasanagin, and a possible biogenetic precursor. The structures of the pseudo-di-peptides were determined as (R)-3,4-diguanidinobutanoyl-(S)-DOPA and (R)-3,4-diguanidinobutanoyl-(S)-tyrosine by spectral analysis, chemical synthesis and enzymatic conversion.     

Spirostaphylotrichin W,a spirocyclic γ-lactam isolated from liquid culture of Pyrenophora semeniperda, a potential mycoherbicide for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) biocontrol

A novel spirocyclic γ-lactam, named spirostaphylotrichin W (1), was isolated together with the well known and closely related spirostaphylotrichins A, C, D, R and V, as well as triticone E, from the liquid cultures of Pyrenophora semeniperda (anamorph: Drechslera), a seed pathogen proposed for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) biocontrol. Spirostaphylotrichin W was characterized as (3S*,4S*,5S*,6S*,9Z,10Z)-4,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-3-methyl-10-propyliden-2-azaspiro [4.5]dec-8-ene-1,7-dione, by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The relative stereochemistry of spirostaphylotrichin W was assigned using NOESY experiments and in comparison to those of spirostaphylotrichin V (2) and triticone E (6). In fact, the relative stereochemistry at C-3 was the same of that of 2, while that at C-4 and C-6 was inverted in respect to that reported, respectively, for 2 and 6. In a B. tectorum coleoptile bioassay at concentration of 10⁻³, spirostaphylotrichin A proved to be the most active compound, followed by spirostaphylotrichins C and D. Spirostaphylotrichin W and V showed mild toxicity while spirostaphylotrichin R and triticone E were not active. When tested on host and non-host plants by leaf puncture bioassay, spirostaphylotrichins A, C and D caused the appearance of necrotic spots while the other compounds were inactive.     

Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated dioxanes, dioxolanes and dioxepanes by trans-acetalisation of dimethylacetals with meso or C2-symmetrical 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-diols

Several o-dibenzylic diols were prepared reacting organometallics with o-phthalaldehyde at room temperature in ether. The identity of the meso and C₂-symmetrical (d,l) isomers as well as their ratio were determined by chiral gas chromatography. The meso and C₂ (racemic) stereoisomeric diols were easily separated by flash chromatography on silica gel. A set of 18 α,β-unsaturated acetals were then prepared reacting those, as well as commercially available 1,2, 1,3 and 1,4 diols, with the corresponding methylacetals in acidic medium. A trans-acetalisation procedure adapted to the cases of fragile allylic alcohols or unfavorable 1,6 diols-derived dioxonanes based on a Dean-Stark trapping of methanol was also employed.     

Simultaneous determination of naphthoquinone derivatives in Boraginaceous herbs by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method using diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of eight naphthoquinone derivatives namely shikonin, acetylshikonin, deoxyshikonin, β-acetoxyisovalerylshikonin, isobutylshikonin, β,β-dimethylacrylshikonin, 2-methyl-n-butyrylshikonin and isovalerylshikonin in nine species of the Boraginaceae family. These species, coming from different areas of China, are all used as interchangeable sourcing plants for the Chinese Materia Medica known as “Zicao”, and are Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnston., A. guttata Bunge, Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc., Onosma paniculatum Bur. et Franch., O. exsertum Hemsl., O. confertum W.W. Smith, O. hookerii Clarke var. longiflorum Duthie, O. hookerii Clarke and O. waltonii Duthic. Quantification of the eight naphthoquinones in all the Zicao samples are reported and compared with each other. Furthermore, two positional isomers, 2-methyl-n-butyrylshikonin and isovalerylshikonin, were successfully separated and quantified for the first time in the present study. The results showed that, besides the three officially used species (namely, A. euchroma, A. guttata and L. erythrorhizon) that were listed in Chinese pharmacopoeia as interchangeable sourcing plants for Zicao, other six species of Onosma used by native peoples in Tibet and Yunnan Province also contain various types and considerable amounts of naphthoquinones and that O. waltonii contains the most. Therefore, these species of Onosma could be developed as new sources of naphthoquinones. The entire analytical procedure is reproducible and suitable for the quantification of naphthoquinones in all related Boraginaceous plants for quality assessment purposes.     

Structure and biosynthetic implication of (S)-NHAB, a novel shunt product, from a disruptant of the actVI-ORFA gene for actinorhodin biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

A novel shunt product was isolated from a disruptant of the actVI-ORFA gene involved in the biosynthesis of actinorhodin (ACT) in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Its structure was elucidated as 1,4-naphthoquinone-8-hydroxy-3-[3(S)-acetoxy-butyric acid], (S)-NHAB, based on NMR, MS, and CD spectroscopic data as well as a single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. The formation of (S)-NHAB involves a retro-Claisen type C-C bond cleavage of an ACT biosynthetic intermediate. Feeding experiments with [1-¹³C] and [2-¹³C] acetates indicated its biosynthetic origin as a single octaketide chain. The relevant gene product, Act-ORFA, which is a functionally unknown protein, is proposed to play a regulatory role related to the multi-enzymatic steps to ACT production, based on the metabolic profile of its disruptant and the wide distribution of actVI-ORFA homologues in the gene clusters for Streptomyces aromatic polyketides.     

Selective immobilization of Acinetobacter junii on the natural zeolitized tuff in municipal wastewater

The immobilization of desired bacteria onto material was usually performed in synthetic media. The aim of this study was to test the immobilization of phosphate (P)-accumulating bacteria Acinetobacter junii onto natural zeolitized tuff (NZ) in the raw or sterilized municipal wastewater containing the common bacteria Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis and the performance of immobilized A. junii in the same type of wastewater. In the sterilized wastewater which contained the mixture of A. junii, E. coli and E. faecalis, the A. junii was selectively immobilized onto NZ in significantly higher numbers than E. coli and E. faecalis. The A. junii added in the form of bioparticles to the wastewater containing E. coli and E. faecalis, multiplied and removed P from wastewater. The P removal from wastewater was a function of biomass of P-accumulating bacteria and not the amount of NZ or bioparticles used. The performance of A. junii was significantly better in membrane filtered than in autoclaved wastewater. The experiments that were performed in raw non sterilized wastewater showed that A. junii can be successfully immobilized onto NZ in competition with natively present heterotrophic bacteria, retain its metabolic activity and successfully remove P from such water, which makes this technology feasible from biotechnological aspect.     

N-Polyfluoro(trimethylsilyl)ethyl azole derivatives

A facile synthetic route to N-polyfluoro(trimethylsilyl)ethyl azole derivatives was developed starting from N-bromo(chloro)polyfluoroethyl-substituted azoles. The silanes thus obtained were reacted with various electrophiles in the presence of the fluoride ion to yield the corresponding fluorinated carbinols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and methyl dithiocarboxylates as well as N-pentafluoroethylbenzimidazole.     

New and efficient RCM in pyridinic series: synthesis of 2H-dihydropyrano- or 2,3H-dihydrooxepino[3,2-b]pyridines

A new and very efficient route to polycyclic heterocycles with isosteric replacement of benzene by pyridine is reported. This strategy involving the RCM reaction in pyridinic series as a keystep allows us to prepare 2H-dihydropyrano- or 2,3H-dihydrooxepino[3,2-b]pyridines 1 and 2 in very good overall yields (47% and 44%, respectively).     

Identification and quantification of 13 components in Angelica sinensis (Danggui) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with pressurized liquid extraction

Angelica sinensis (Danggui in Chinese), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is also used as a health food product for women's care in Europe and America. Therefore, the demand for Danggui is enormous throughout the world. Due to the shortage of Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas are commonly used as the substitutes of Danggui in the market of southeast Asia. However, the three common Angelica roots showed variation in their genetic and chemical composition. Up to date, it is thought that ferulic acid, ligustilide and other phthalides such as butylidenephthalide are the biologically active components of Danggui. In this paper, the contents of 13 compounds including ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide, E-butylidenephthalide, 3-butylphthalide, 3-butylidene-4-hydroxyphthalide, senkyunolide A, 6,7-epoxyligustilide, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide I, and 6,7-dihydroxyligustilide were determined or estimated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The results showed that GC-MS coupled with PLE offered a simple, rapid and high sensitive method to analysis of components in Angelica root. And the contents of investigated compounds in Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas, which are used as Danggui in China, Japan and Korea, respectively, were highly variant. It is thought that interaction of multiple chemical compounds contributes to the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines. However, the overall clinical efficacy of these different Danggui has not been determined. Therefore, comparison of chemical components and pharmacological activities of different Angelica root is helpful to elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic effects of Danggui.     

Chemoselective hydrolysis of tert-butyl esters in acetonitrile using molecular iodine as a mild and efficient catalyst

A simple, mild and efficient method for the hydrolysis of tert-butyl esters using molecular iodine as a catalyst is described. Acid labile protecting groups, such as N-Boc, OBn, OAc and double bonds, are compatible under the reaction conditions.     

Simple and mild esterification of N-protected amino acids with nearly equimolar amounts of alcohols using 1-tert-butoxy-2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline

A very mild, one-step esterification using nearly equimolar amounts of N-protected amino acids and alcohols, in conjunction with 1-tert-butoxy-2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline (BBDI) as a novel condensing reagent is described.