Stereoselective synthesis of novel N-(α-l-arabinofuranos-1-yl)-l-amino acids

In lead detoxification, the α-anomer of N-glycocyl-l-amino acid is more potent than its β-anomer. Here a six-step-reaction route for stereoselectively preparing N-(α-l-arabinose-1-yl)-l-amino acids is reported. Treating l-arabinose with acetic anhydride and sodium acetate provided 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranose in 90% yield. After removing the 1-acetyl group, the thus formed 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranose and N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-l-amino acid t-butylesters were treated with triphenylphosphine to perform Mitsunobu dehydration and form 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranosyl-l-[N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)]amino acid t-butylesters 2a–f, and the ratios of their α- to β-anomer ranged from 8/1 to 9/1. Chromatographic separation provided epimerically pure 2a–f-α and 2a–f-β. In the presence of CF₃CO₂H, 2a–f-α and 2a–f-β were converted to α- and β-anomers of N-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranosyl)-N-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-l-amino acids, 3a–f-α and 3a–f-β, in 87–92% yields. While in the presence of NaOCH₃, 3a–f-α and 3a–f-β were converted to α- and β-anomers of N-(l-arabinofuranosyl)-N-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-l-amino acids, 4a–f-α and 4a–f-β, in 90–96% yields. Treating 4a–f-α and 4a–f-β with N-ethyldiisopropylamine (DIPEA) and thiophenol, their 2-nitrophenylsulfonyl groups were removed, and the α- and β-anomers of N-(l-arabinose-1-yl)-l-amino acids were formed in 70–79% yields. The bioassay confirmed that the lead detoxification activity of the α-anomer was significantly higher than that of the β-anomer.     

A facile synthesis of novel 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones using microwave heating

(Z)-5-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (7a–w) have been synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (3a–d) with suitably substituted 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (6a–g) under microwave conditions. The thioxothiazolidin-4-ones were prepared from the corresponding aryl/alkyl amines (1a–d) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The aldehydes (6a–g) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (5a–g) using HsnBu₃.     

Transformations of enaminones. A simple one-pot synthesis of imidazolone derivatives

Ethyl (5-benzoyl-2-oxo-3-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)carbamates 7 were prepared by the Michael addition of diethyl azodicarboxylate (3) to (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2) followed by substitution of the dimethylamino group with primary amines 5a–n to afford a mixture of (E) and (Z) diethyl 1-(1-(substituted)amino)-3-oxo-3-phenylprop-1-en-2-yl)hydrazine-1,2-dicarboxylates (6a–n), followed by cyclization to give final products 7a–n. The intermediate 6i was isolated and characterized and transformed into 7i. All imidazolones 7a–n were synthesized in one pot reaction sequences with individual reactions being very clean.     

Aphanalides A–H,ring A-seco limonoids from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya

Eight new ring A-seco limonoids, aphanalides A–H (1–8) were isolated from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya. Aphanalides A–C (1–3) are the first examples of ring A-seco limonoids with an unusual oxetane ring between C-7 and C-14. The structures of aphanalide A (1) and aphanalide C (3) were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray studies. Their structures including absolute stereochemistry were established on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, by comparison of experimental and calculated electron circular dichroism (ECD) and by X-ray diffraction, representing the first report of assignment of absolute configuration of such type ring A-seco limonoids. The biogenetic origin of aphanalides A–D (1–4) from aphanalides E–H (5–8) was also postulated.     

Antifouling and cytotoxic constituents from the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa

A bioassay-guided chemical investigation of the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa resulted in the isolation of eight new diterpenoids, kalihinols M–T (1–8), together with seven known analogues (9–15). These compounds featured a trans-decalin ring bearing a tetrahydrofuran or a tetrahydropyran ring at C-7. Compounds 1 and 2, with a formamide functionality beared at C-4, extended the structure breadth of this diterpenoid family. The absolute stereostructures of 1–14 were determined by a combination of 2D NMR and CD spectroscopic analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 were confirmed to have the configurations of 4S, 5S, whereas 3–14 were determined as 4R, 5R. Compounds 3–14 displayed significant antifouling activity against the barnacle Balanus amphitrite larvae, and the cytotoxic activities of 3–14 were evaluated against the H1299, A549, PC3, CT-26, and HCT-116 cancer cell lines.     

Preparation of various enantiomerically pure (benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols

(S)-(−)-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (S)-(−)-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols 7a–9a, 7b–9b and their (R)-(+)-acetates 10a–12a and 10b–12b were prepared in high enantiomeric excess via lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (Amano AK) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b with vinyl acetate in tert-butyl methyl ether or toluene at 23 °C. The enantioselectivity of this transformation was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain with E-values ranging from 30 to 57. Several benzotriazole substituted ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b were synthesized from 1H-benzotriazole and corresponding haloketones. These compounds were stereoselectively reduced with Baker’s yeast in water or in organic solvent containing 5% v/v of water at 30 °C to give the (S)-(−)-alcohol. Better stereoselectivity was observed in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b (ee = 69–92% at 44–52% conversion) compared to reduction of corresponding prochiral ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b with Baker’s yeast (ee = 40–67% at 39–89% conversion). Enhanced enantioselectivities were observed at lower temperatures.     

Stereochemical assignments of rubiaquinones A–C,naphthoquinone derivatives from Rubia yunnanensis

Three new naphthoquinone derivatives, rubiaquinones A–C (1–3), were isolated from the roots of Rubia yunnanensis. Rubiaquinone A (1) was a racemic naphthoquinone dimer consisting of a 1,4-dihydroxynaphthalene and a 4-hydroxy-1,2-naphthoquinone moieties with a 2-oxo-propyl group. Rubiaquinones B (2) and C (3) were structurally unique trimeric naphthoquinones with a racemic nature possessing one chiral axis and one chiral carbon in common. The planar structures of 1–3 were assigned by detailed spectroscopic analyses, and enantiomers of 1–3 were obtained by optical resolutions. The absolute configurations of (+)-1 and (?)-1 were elucidated by interpretation of the ECD spectra with the aid of TDDFT ECD calculation, while those of enantiomers obtained from 2 and 3 were assigned by analyses of the composite ECD spectra generated by summing appropriate ECD spectra of enantiomers. Rubiaquinone A (1) exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis.     

Novel thiosemicarbazone derivatives containing benzimidazole moiety: Green synthesis and anti-malarial activity

A series of (E)-2-[5-chloro-1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)ethylidene] N-(substituted) hydrazine carbothioamide (7a–7t) and (E)-2-[1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)ethylidene] N-(substituted) hydrazine carbothioamide (8a–8t) were prepared via the synthesis of 1-(substituted-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) ethanol (3a–3b) which was synthesized by the condensation of substituted o-phenylenediamine (2a–2b) with dl-lactic acid (1) followed by oxidation with sodium hypochlorite in mild acidic condition to form the corresponding ketones 4a–4b. Final compounds were formed by condensation of 4a–4b with different thiosemicarbazides 6a–6t. A total of 40 compounds were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass spectral technique and elemental analysis, in addition they were evaluated for anti-malarial properties. Among the compounds tested 7o, 7p, 7q, 7r, 7s, 8e and 8h exhibited good antimalarial activity in vitro.     

Isolation,structure elucidation,and antibacterial evaluation of the metabolites produced by the marine-sourced Streptomyces sp. ZZ820

New indole alkaloids streptoprenylindoles A–C (1–3) and diterpenoids 18-acetyl-cyclooctatin (8), 5,18-dedihydroxy-cyclooctatin (9), and 5-dehydroxy-cyclooctatin (10) were isolated from the culture of marine-derived Streptomyces sp. ZZ820, along with known 3-cyanomethyl-6-[3-methyl-2-butenyl]indole (4), N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethylacetamide (5), 1-acetyl-β-carboline (6), indole-3-methylethanoate (7), cyclooctatin (11), and chromomycin A₃ (12). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculation, and the Mosher's method. Streptoprenylindoles A (1) and B (2) are enantiomers that were separated through the preparation of their Mosher esters. Three new diterpenoids (8–10) showed antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli with MIC values of 24.11–55.12?μM, while chromomycin A₃ (12) showed potent antibacterial activities against MRSA (MIC: 0.59?μM) and E. coli (MIC 0.04?μM).     

Practical and efficient synthesis of chiral 2,4-disubstituted oxazolines from β-phosphonoamides

Herein we report a practical and efficient method for the synthesis of optically active 2,4-disubstituted oxazolines (S)-1a–h in good to excellent yields. The target compounds were prepared in good yield through the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction of β-phosphonoamide 3 bearing l-phenylalaninol with commercially available aryl aldehydes followed by the cyclodehydration of the corresponding N-(cinnamoyl)-(S)-phenylalaninol derivatives (S)-2a–h. Additionally, the cyclodehydration of β-phosphonoamide (S)-3 followed by the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction of β-phosphono-oxazoline (S)-4 with aryl aldehydes also gave the 2,4-disubstituted oxazolines (S)-1a–h.     

Potential antidiabetic zinc(II) complexes of novel 5-oxo-2-thioxopyrrolidine derivatives synthesized via an unprecedented reaction

We have developed a synthetic route to novel ethyl 1-arylmethyl-5-oxo-2-thioxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylates (1a–e) via an unprecedented reaction of ethyl 1-arylmethyl-4-acetoxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3carboxylates with potassium thioacetate. Synthesized products 1a–e were further converted into their zinc(II) complexes (10a–e), having an S₂O₂-type coordination mode, that showed improved insulin-mimetic activities compared to ZnSO₄, a positive standard, and also the previously reported zinc(II) complexes of ethyl 1-benzyl-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates with O₄-type coordination mode.     

Facile preparation of methyl 5-aryl-4-hydroxyhex-2(E)-enoate,chiral synthon of bisabolane-type sesquiterpenes,based on lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution and rearrangement of an aryl group

The lipase-catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic methyl (4S¹,5S¹)-4-aryl-5-hydroxyhex-2(E)-enoates 1a–h was performed and efficient resolutions were achieved (E >400) by using CAL-B. After brosylation of the obtained optically active 1a–h, solvolysis of brosylates 13a–h afforded the corresponding methyl (4S¹,5S¹)-5-aryl-4-hydroxyhex-2(E)-enoates 3a–h (26–94% yield). The yields of 3a and 3c on the solvolysis of the corresponding 13 were 92% and 40%, respectively, while solvolysis of the corresponding tosylate was reported at 70% and 17%, respectively. This procedure is a facile and practical route to the synthesis of bioactive and optically active bisabolane-type sesquiterpenes.     

Nectrianolins A,B, and C,new metabolites produced by endophytic fungus Nectria pseudotrichia 120-1NP

Two sesquiterpene-epoxycyclohexenone conjugates, nectrianolins A (1) and B (2), together with a sesquiterpene, nectrianolin C (3), were isolated from the brown rice culture of Nectria pseudotrichia 120-1NP, an endophytic fungus isolated from Gliricidia sepium. Their structures were determined on the basis of 1D-/2D-NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS data analyses in combination with chemical means. Nectrianolins A–C (1–3) exhibited cytotoxic activity against both HL60 and HeLa cells.     

Phosphorus pentoxide in organic synthesis-I: Phosphorus pentoxide-amine hydrochloride mixtures as reagents in a new synthesis of hypoxanthines

A series of 23 new 1,7-dihydro-6H-purin-6-ones,3a–3w, have been prepared by heating ethyl 4-acylamino-1H-imidazole-5-car?ylates,2a–2f and2h, with primary amine hydrochlorides and phosphorus pentoxide inN,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine. Imidazo[4,5-d][1,3]oxazin-7(1H)-ones6 were similarly obtained from ethyl 1H-imidazole-5-car?ylates2g–2i which had bulky 4-acylamino groups. The starting materials2 were made by acylation of the corresponding ethyl 4-amino-1H-imidazole-5-car?ylates1. The results from pesticide and anticancer screenings are included.     

Hyphenone A,the first 3,3-diisoprenylated bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols as Cav3.1 T-type calcium channel inhibitor from Hypericum henryi

Hyphenone A (1), a new type of bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (BPAPs) featured with an unprecedented 3,3-diisoprenylated 1,3,5-trione core, were characterized from the roots of Hypericum henryi together with two new congeners (hyphenones B–C, 2–3) and five known biosynthetic related PPAPs. Biogenetically, 1 should be derived from a novel 3,3,5,5-tetraisoprenylated MPAPs precursor. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data and X-ray diffraction. Moreover, 1–3 were identified as the first PPAPs type Ca_v3.1 T-type calcium channel (TTCC) inhibitors, with IC₅₀ values of 7.07, 6.19, and 5.47 μM, respectively.     

Kinetic resolution of racemic secondary aliphatic allylic alcohols in lipase-catalyzed transesterification

Different lipases were screened as biocatalysts in the kinetic resolution process of (±)-hept-1-en-3-ol 1, (±)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-ol 2, (±)-6-methylhept-2-en-4-ol 3, (±)-6,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-ol 4, and 1-phenylbut-3-en-2-ol 5 by enantioselective transesterification. The acylation of (±)-1 and (±)-2 catalyzed by Novozym 435 (Candida antarctica) was very effective and proceeded with good enantioselectivity. After 4–8 h of reactions the esters formed and the alcohols, which remained were obtained with high enantiomeric excess with 97–100% ee and 91–100% ee, respectively. The lipase Amano PS (Burkholderia cepacia) was the best catalyst in the asymmetric transesterification of (±)-5 affording the (R)-alcohol with 90–95% ee and the (S)-ester with 98–100% ee. Low enantioselectivities were observed in the cases of lipase-catalyzed acylation of (±)-3 and (±)-4.     

Tubakialactones A–E,new polyketides from the endophytic fungus Tubakia sp. ECN-111

Three new isocoumarins and two new phthalides, tubakialactones A–E (1–5), together with three known polyketides including (R)-3,4-dihydro-4-hydroxyl-6,8-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-methylene-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one (6), (?)-5,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone (7), and isosclerone (8) were found in the endophytic fungus Tubakia sp. ECN-111 isolated from the leaves of Houttuynia cordata. The chemical structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including extensive 2D-NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 3 and 7 was determined by optical rotation and circular dichroism.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 5-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives as platelet aggregation inhibitors

One pot synthesis and characterization of new 5-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridines (3a–k) using amides (2a–k) were reported. The prepared 5-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine (3a) is a bioisostere of 4′-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno [3,2-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid (1), having good in vivo antithrombotic activity compared with Clopidogrel. The new tetrazole derivatives (3a–k) were screened for their in vitro activity as platelet aggregation inhibitors.     

Lycocasuarines A–C,Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides

Three lycodine-type Lycopodium alkaloids (1–3) were isolated from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and computational methods. Compound 1 possesses a rearranged five-membered ring D resulting from C-8/C-15 cleavage and a new C-7/C-15 linkage. Compound 2 is the first Lycopodium alkaloid found to bear an additional carbon (C-17) directly bonded to C-8, which is particularly unusual from a biogenetic point of view. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.     

Chlorinated chromone and diphenyl ether derivatives from the mangrove-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. PSU-MA69

Four new diphenyl ethers, pestalotethers A–D (1–4), three new chromones, pestalochromones A–C (5–7), one new xanthone, pestaloxanthone (8), and one new butenolide, pestalolide (9), together with 11 known compounds were isolated from the mangrove-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. PSU-MA69. Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1–3 and 5–7 are the rare chlorinated fungal metabolites of diphenyl ethers and chromones, respectively. Pestalolide (9) displayed weak antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.