Rhodauricanol A,an analgesic diterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/6/5/7 tetracyclic system featuring a unique 16-oxa-tetracyclo[11.2.1.01,5.07,13]hexadecane core from Rhododendron dauricum

A novel diterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/6/5/7 tetracyclic system, rhodauricanol A (1), five new grayanane-derived diterpenoids, dauricanols A?E (2?6), and five known ones (7?11) were isolated from the flowers of Rhododendron dauricum. Rhodauricanol A (1) possesses a unique 5/6/5/7 tetracyclic ring system featuring a 16-oxa-tetracyclo[11.2.1.0^1,5.0^7,13]hexadecane core. Dauricanols A?C (2?4) are the first 1,3-dioxolane conjugates of grayanane diterpenoids and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and vanillin, respectively, and dauricanols D (5) and E (6) represent the first examples of 6-deoxy-1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoids. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, quantum chemical calculation including ¹³C NMR-DP4+ analysis and ECD calculation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1?4 were proposed. All the isolates showed significant analgesic activities, and dauricanols B (3) and C (4) showed more potent analgesic activities than the positive control, morphine.     

The structure of C2H5InBr2 · tmen,C2H5InI2 · tmen (tmen = N,N,N,′,N′-tetramethylethanediamine) and [(C6H5)4P][C2H5InI3] in solution and in the solid state

The ¹H NMR spectra of C₂H₅InBr₂ · tmen (1) C₂H₅InI₂ · tmen (2) (tmen = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethanediamme) and [(C₆H₅)₄P][C₂H₅InI₃] (3) show only a broad singlet for the ethyl protons at 60 MHz. Spectra run at 400 MHz resolve these into a triplet + quartet for 1 and 3. The structure of each compound has been determined by X-ray crystallography; 1 and 2 are five-coordinate species, with InC₂N₂X (X = Br, I) nuclei, while 3 consists of [(C₆H₅)₄P]⁺ cations and anions whose InCI₃ nucleus has C_3v, symmetry.     

Salvifarinin A,a neo-clerodane diterpenoid with a 6/5/7 tricyclic skeleton from Salvia farinacea

Salvifarinin A (1), a rearrangement product of Languidulane-type clerodane diterpenoids with a 6/5/7 tricyclic ring skeleton fused with γ-lactone ring and furan ring, and two new biogenetically related diterpernoids, salvifarinins B (2) and C (3), were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia farinacea. The absolute configuration of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, and confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and bio-inspired semisynthesis. The plausible biogenetic pathway was also proposed. Compound 2 displayed a potent effect on reducing hepatic steatosis.     

A short and efficient asymmetric synthesis of (1S,2R)-(+)-5-methoxy-1-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrochloride (UH-232)

A general practical asymmetric synthesis of (1S,2R)-(+)-5-methoxy-1-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrochloride (UH-232) was developed in a short and efficient method in high optical purity starting from commercially available 5-methoxy-1-tetralone. Asymmetric hydroboration of 5-methoxy-1-methyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene with monoisopinocampheylborane followed by treatment with NaOH/H₂O₂ afforded key intermediate tetrahydronaphthol 4. Compound 4 was converted to the target molecule 1 using straightforward reactions.     

Synthesis of 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo- and 6-exo-hydroxylated analogues of epibatidine

A convenient, high-yield synthesis of N-Boc-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one (7) was developed by SmI₂-mediated desulfonylation of 6. Thus, 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo-, and 6-exo-hydroxylated epibatidine analogues 2a,b and 3a,b were synthesized from 7 by using a Pd(PPh₃)₄-catalyzed reductive Heck coupling reaction and SmI₂-mediated reduction of the carbonyl group as the key steps. Other reaction conditions for the reductive Heck procedure and the reduction step were also investigated.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.     

Transition metal carbene chemistry 6: Kinetic studies of the reactions of hydroxide ion with (CO)5MoC(XCH2CH2OH)(C6H5) (X = O and S) and (CO)5WC(OCH2CH2OH)(C6H4-Z)

A kinetic study of the reaction of hydroxide ion with (CO)₅MoC(XCH₂CH₂OH)(C₆H₅) (X = O for Mo-OR, and X = S for Mo-SR), and (CO)₅WC(OCH₂CH₂OH)(C₆H₄-Z) (W-OR(Z)) is reported. The results are consistent with a pathway in basic solution that involves rapid deprotonation of the OH group followed by rate-limiting cyclization. The parameter k₁K^OH for the reaction of W-OR(Z) was determined as a function of the phenyl substituents. They were found to correlate well with the Hammett equation. The dependence of the reactivity on the metal atoms in the complexes M-OR (M = Cr, Mo and W) shows that the reactivity decreases slightly down the group of the Periodic Table, while for M-SR the reactivity increases slightly down the group. A plausible explanation of these results is offered based on electronegativity values of the metal atoms. The much higher ρ(k₁K^OH) value for W-OR(Z) over W-SR(Z) arises mainly due to the stabilization of the reactant carbene complex by the stronger π-donor effect of oxygen over sulfur.     

A new taxane composed of two N-formyl rotamers from Taxus canadensis

A taxane with an amino-side chain on C-5 was identified for the first time from rooted cuttings of the Canadian yew, Taxus canadensis. The structure was characterized as 7β,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxy-5α-[3′-(N-formyl-N-methylamino)-3′-phenylpropanoyl]oxytaxa-4(20),12-diene (1) on the basis of 1D-, 2D-NMR data, and HR-FABMS analyses. The spectra revealed that in CDCl₃ solution 1 was composed of two rotamers (1a and 1b) in a ratio of approximately 2:1.     

Total synthesis of the 5-epimers of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A5 and unnatural (+)-hyacinthacine A4

(1R,2S,3R,5S,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 10 [(+)-5-epihyacinthacine A₅] and (1R,2S,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 17 [ent-5-epihyacinthacine A₄] have been synthesized by either Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) or Wittig methodology using aldehydes 6 and 13, prepared from (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5 (partially protected DALDP) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine 12 (partially protected DGADP), respectively, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the corresponding intermediate pyrrolidinic ketones 7 and 14 and subsequent deprotection.     

A facile one-step synthesis of 5-chloro-imidazo[1,5-a]quinazoline by microwave irradiation

A new and facile method has been developed for the one-step synthesis of 5-chloro-imidazo[1,5-a]quinazoline by cyclization of N-acylanthranilic acid A with 2-amino acetamide B1 or 2-amino-acetonitrile B2 in the presence of POCl₃ under microwave irradiation. 5-chloro-imidazo[1,5-a]quinazolines can be further functionalized by displacement of 5-Cl group.     

Norcrocrassinone: A novel tetranorditerpenoid possessing a 6/6/5 fused ring system from Croton crassifolius

Norcrocrassinone (1), a novel tetranorditerpenoid possessing a fused 6/6/5 ring system, was isolated from the roots of Croton crassifolius. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) activity of 1 was evaluated using humanized Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model.     

Electronic structures of organometallic complexes of f elements LXXV: Parametric analysis of the crystal field splitting pattern of Nd(η5-C5Me5)3

By comparing the FIR, MIR, NIR and vis spectra (pellets) of NdCp¹₃ (Cp¹ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) (1) with those of Nd(C₅Me₄H)₃ (2) and LaCp¹₃ (3) the energies of a number of crystal field (CF) levels of 1 could be determined. The levels of the ground multiplet ⁴I_9/2 could be assigned on the basis of the polarized luminescence transition ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 of an oriented single crystal of 1, and the CF levels of the excited multiplets by assuming equal sequences of CF levels for 1 and those of 2 assigned previously on the basis of linear dichroism, luminescence anisotropy and electronic Raman measurements of oriented single crystals. In order to prove some uncertain assignments, the expected polarizations were checked against the observed ones in the σ and π absorption spectra of an oriented single crystal of 1 recorded by making use of the “inner filter effect”. The free parameters of a phenomenological Hamiltonian were fitted to the thus derived truncated CF splitting pattern of 1, leading to a reduced r.m.s. deviation of 14.0 cm^?1 for 36 assignments. On the basis of the phenomenological CF parameters, the global CF strength experienced by the Nd³⁺ central ion was estimated, and seems to be the fourth largest one ever encountered in Nd^III chemistry. The obtained Slater parameter F² and the spin-orbit coupling parameter ζ_4f allow the insertion of compound 1 into empirical nephelauxetic and relativistic nephelauxetic series, respectively, of Nd^III compounds. The experimentally based nonrelativistic molecular orbital scheme (in the f range) of complex 1 was determined and compared with the results of a previous nonrelativistic Xα-SW calculation on the pseudo-trigonal-planar model compound Nd(η⁵-C₅H₅)₃. The vibronic sidebands of the hypersensitive absorption transition ⁴I_9/2 → ⁴G_5/2 of 1 were correlated with inner-ligand vibrations. The temperature dependence of μ²_eff of 1 was calculated and compared to the experimental data of the likewise pseudo-trigonal-planar complex Nd(C₅H₄^tBu)₃.     

A convenient one-pot synthesis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-5(6H)-one derivatives and their further transformations

The trifluoromethyl containing heterocycles, 2-hydroxy-4-aryl-3-(thien-2-oyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-5(6H)-one derivatives 4, were synthesized via a one-pot three-component reaction of aldehyde 1 with 1,3-cyclohexanedione 2 and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(thien-2-yl)butane-1,3-dione 3 in the presence of a catalytic amount of Et₃N. The effect of bases and solvents on the reaction efficiency and yield was briefly investigated. Treatment of 4 with an excess amount of NH₄OAc in ethanol afforded 2-trifluoromethyl-1H-quinolin-5-one derivatives 5. Refluxing of 4 with TsOH in CHCl₃ gave the corresponding dehydrated products 8.     

A synthesis of 1-substituted 5-[2-(acylamino)ethyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides

A seven-step synthesis of 1-substituted 5-(2-acylaminoethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides 20 as the pyrazole analogues of histamine was developed. The synthesis starts with a three-step preparation of N(1)-substituted methyl 5-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylaminoethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylates 7 from commercially available Boc-β-alanine (1). Subsequent four-step transformation of the key-intermediates 7 into the final products 20 was performed following two complementary reaction sequences comprising acidolytic removal of the Boc group, hydrolysis of the COOMe group, amidations of the COOH group, and acylations of the NH₂ group. The structures of pyrazole derivatives were determined by spectroscopic methods and by X-ray diffraction.     

Pestalustaines A and B,unprecedented sesquiterpene and coumarin derivatives from endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis adusta

Pestalustaines A (1) and B (2), one unique sesquiterpene possessing an unusual 5/6/7-fused tricyclic ring system and one unprecedented coumarin derivative bearing 6/6/5/5-fused tetracyclic ring system, were isolated from the plant-derived Pestalotiopsis adusta. Their structures with absolute configurations were established by extensive NMR analysis, X-ray crystallography, and CD spectra associated with TD-DFT calculation. Hypothetical biosynthetic pathways for compounds 1 and 2 are proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak to moderate cytotoxic activities against three human tumor cell lines HeLa, HCT116, and A549, whose IC₅₀ values were ranged from 21.01 to 55.43?μM.     

Cyclopiane-type diterpenes from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium commune MCCC 3A00940

Three new cyclopiane diterpenes (1–3) and one rare spirocyclolide (5) were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium commune MCCC 3A00940, along with 11 known compounds. The planar structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their NMR and HRESIMS spectra, and the absolute configurations were established on the basis of specific rotation data in association with calculated ECD spectra. Four of the cyclopiane diterpenes (1–4), with a rigid 6/5/5/5 fused tetracyclic ring framework, are rarely found in Nature. Notably, conidiogenone J (1) is the first naturally occurring enantiomer of the cyclopiane diterpenes. Additionally, penijanthine B (6) and 3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene (14) exhibited moderate antiallergic effects with IC₅₀ values of 30 and 33?μM, respectively.     

Reactions of bis(alkynyl)silanes with HB(C6F5)2: Formation of boryl-substituted silacyclobutene derivatives

Treatment of R₂Si(CC-SiMe₃)₂ [1a (Me), 1b (Ph)] with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at low temperature (253 K (a), 273 K (b)) gives the -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene products (4a,b) under kinetic control. Upon warming to room temperature they disappear to form the thermodynamically favoured isomeric silole derivatives (2a,b). Similar treatment of Me₂Si(CC-R¹)₂ [5a (R¹ = Ph), 5b (R¹ = tert-butyl) with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at room temperature gave the stable -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene derivatives 6 and 7, respectively. Subsequent photolysis resulted in a Z- to E-isomerization of the substituted exocyclic CC double bonds in these products. The silacyclobutene derivative E-6 was characterized by an X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

A TEM study of Ni ordering in the Ni6Se5−xTex, 0<x<∼1.7, system

The Ni₆Se_5−xTe_x, 0<x<∼1.7, system has been carefully investigated via electron diffraction and TEM imaging. They reveal a somewhat disordered modulated superstructure phase arising from Ni ion ordering within an essentially well-defined chalcogen sub-structure. As x, and the underlying parent substructure cell dimensions increase, the incommensurate primary modulation wave-vector q characteristic of this Ni ion ordering quickly swings from close to for x=0 towards for x?0.5. A lock-in to would formally transform the underlying parent Bmmb (a_p, b_p, c_p) structure into a P1a1 (a_s=2a_p, b_s=b_p, c_s=a_p+c_p) superstructure phase.     

A study of the physico-chemical properties of 1,3,5-trihydroxy-1,3,5-triazin-2,4,6[1H,3H,5H]-trione

Acetyl (Ia) and pivaloyl (Ib) triesters of the 1N,3N,5N-trihydroxy-1,3,5-triazin-2,4,6[1H,3H,5H]-trione (I) were synthesised. The spectrophotometric and potentiometric investigation of I revealed a weak acidic properties of triprotonic acid (pK_a1=5.23, pK_a2=6.32, and pK_a3=7.93). The MS and TGA analyses of I indicated on hydroxyisocyanate as possible degradation product. The chelating ability of I with Fe(III)-ion was preliminary explored. IR measurements of aqueous solutions of I in the presence of Fe(III) ion showed the possible chelating ability of all hydroxamic moieties. The chemical structures and properties of investigated compounds were derived from the results of IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, UV and MS spectrometric data, as well as thermogravimetric and potentiometric analysis.     

A mild and efficient CAN mediated oxidation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of 5-methyl-N-alkylisatin to 5-formyl-N-alkylisatin

A simple, mild and efficient CAN mediated oxidation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of 5-methyl-N-alkylisatins 1a-13a to 5-formyl-N-alkylisatins 1b-13b under ambient reaction conditions is reported. Simple and isomerized 5-methyl-N-alkylisatin derivatives 1-4 have also been tested and failed to provide the corresponding formylated products. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed.