New bromopyrrole alkaloids from the marine sponge Agelas sp.

Chemical investigation of the marine sponge Agelas sp. collected from the South China Sea resulted in the isolation of four new dimeric bromopyrrole alkaloids, including hexazosceptrin (1) with a rare cyclohexane-fused-cyclobutane skeleton, agelestes A and B (2–3), the sceptrin analogues without any aminoimidazole substitution, and (9S, 10R, 9′S, 10′R)-nakamuric acid (4), of which the absolute configuration was confirmed for the first time. The structure elucidation and absolute configuration assignments were unambiguously determined via extensive spectroscopic analyses and the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroic spectra. Compounds 1 and 4 exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity.     

2-Cyano-2-indolylpropanoic acid as a chiral derivatizing agent for the absolute configuration assignment of secondary alcohols and primary amines by 1H NMR and VCD

A convenient approach for the absolute configuration assignment of secondary alcohols in the (8R,1′R,2′S,5′R)-15,25, (8S,1′R,2′S,5′R)-15,25, (8R,1′R)-21–24, and (8S,1′R)-21–24 ester series, and of primary amines in the (8R,1′R)-32–37 and (8S,1′R)-32–37 amide series, by means of ¹H NMR and VCD spectroscopy, using 2-cyano-2-indolylpropanoic acid as a chiral derivatizing agent is presented. DFT calculations were carried out to demonstrate the anisotropic effect of the indole skeleton on the chiral alcohol or the amine fragment. Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements of the above series indicated a VCD bisignated couplet resulting from the interaction of the ester carbonyl group and the CN group. The absolute configuration assignments were further tested by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Resolution and determination of the absolute configuration of 3,3′,4,4′-tetramethyl-1,1′-diphosphaferrocene-2-carboxaldehyde

Racemic 3,3′,4,4′-tetramethyl-1,1′-diphosphaferrocene-2-carboxaldehyde 1 was resolved via the formation of diastereomeric dioxolanes with (S)-(+)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol. Four stereoisomers were separated by column chromatography. The absolute configuration of one of them (2′′R, 4′′S,1R) was established by X-ray diffraction. Acid hydrolysis of the dioxolanes afforded quantitatively (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 1. Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra of both enantiomers are also reported.     

2,2′-Dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-5,5′-dimethyl-6,6′-dibromo-1,1′-biphenyl: preparation,resolution, structure and biological activity

The preparation and resolution of the titled conformationally stable biphenyl 1 has been performed in high chemical yield starting from creosol 2. Enantiopure biphenyls (aR)-(+)-1 and (aS)-(−)-1 were obtained by the corresponding menthylcarbonate diastereomer and successive reduction. The absolute configuration and specific rotation were correlated by X-ray analysis of the crystal structure of diastereopure menthylcarbonate (aS,1R,1′R,2S,2′S,5R,5′R)-(+)-16. Preliminary biological evaluation of both racemic enantiomers of 1 has been carried out on melanoma cell lines and significant and selective anticancer activity has been observed for the enantiomer (aS)-(−)-1.     

Absolute configuration reassignment of two chromanes from Peperomia obtusifolia (Piperaceae) using VCD and DFT calculations

Previous analysis of the ECD spectra of two prenylated benzopyrans isolated from Peperomia obtusifolia, by means of the helicity rule for the chromane chromophore, resulted in the incorrect assignment of their absolute configuration, (S) instead of (R) for a deduced P-helicity of the chromane ring for the (+)-enantiomers. This was discovered by the application of DFT calculations and VCD spectroscopy. Experimental and calculated (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) VCD and IR spectra were compared, and a definitive absolute configuration of (+)-1 and (+)-2 is reassigned directly in solution as (R). The assumption of equatorial positioning of bulky groups, shown here to be invalid for the title molecules, is the underlying cause of the previous incorrect assignment of absolute configuration. Moreover, TDDFT (B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d)) calculations of ECD spectra have shown that both P- and M-helicity of the heterocyclic ring, for a given absolute configuration, lead to the same sign for the ¹L_b ECD band, thus bringing into question the validity of the empirical ECD helicity rule for chromane molecules.     

Synthesis,resolution and absolute configuration of a tolperisone metabolite

1-(4′-Hydroxymethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-3-(piperidine-1-yl)-propane-1-one M2, a metabolite of tolperisone, was synthesised in a solvent-free Mannich reaction. The optical resolution was carried out by diastereoisomeric salt formation and separation, for which three resolving agents ((2R,3R)-O,O′-dibenzoyl tartaric acid, (2R,3R)-O,O′-di-p-toluoyl tartaric acid and (R)-2-hydroxy-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane-2-oxide (anicyphos)) were found. The absolute configuration of M2 was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.     

Conformational study of α-arylethylamides of (−)-camphanic acid

The absolute conformation and configuration of diastereomeric amides (4A,B–6A,B) of (1S,3R)-camphanic acid (lactone of 1-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentan-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, (−)-camphanic acid 9) with α-arylethylamines 1–3 are deduced from ¹H NMR data and MM2 calculations. The α-arylethyl group in diastereomers A and B adopt nearly opposite absolute conformations, stabilized by hydrogen bonding in the syn-oriented O–C(1)–C(6)–N–H unit, and repulsive interaction between the 1′C–Me group and the amide CO group. The absolute configuration (1′S) is assigned to the 4A–6A diastereomers, and the (1′R)-configuration to the 4B–6B diastereomers; this assignment is confirmed by the preparation of 4A and 5A from enantiomerically pure (1′S)-α-arylethylamines 1 and 2, respectively. These results also enabled the assignment of pro-R (H_R) and pro-S (H_S) protons in the benzyl derivative 7.     

Phenanthrenes from Juncus atratus with antiproliferative activity

The present study has focused on the isolation and structure determination of phenanthrenes from Juncus atratus Krock. Nine compounds, among them five phenanthrenes, have been isolated from the methanol extract of the plant. Two compounds [juncatrins A (1) and B (2)] are new natural products, three phenanthrenes [juncuenin B (3), effusol (4), and dehydroeffusol (5)], the flavones apigenin (7) and luteolin (8), the diterpene phytol and 13(R)-hydroxy-octadeca-(9Z,11E,15Z)-trien-oic acid (9) were isolated for the first time from the plant. Juncatrin A (1) is substitued with an acetyl group, while in case of juncatrin B (2), an unprecedented acetylene group is connected to the phenanthrene skeleton. The isolated phenanthrenes were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against HeLa, SiHa and MDA-MB-231 human tumor cell lines. Four phenanthrenes (2, 3, 4 and 5) were more effective [IC₅₀s 3.48?μM (2), 2.91 (3), 3.68 (4), and 7.75?μM (5)] than cisplatin (IC₅₀ 12.43?μM) on HeLa cells.     

Halichonic acid,a new rearranged bisabolene-type sesquiterpene from a marine sponge Halichondria sp.

A new compound, halichonic acid (1), was isolated from a marine sponge Halichondria sp., together with (6R,7S)-7-amino-7,8-dihydro-α-bisabolene (2). The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and ECD spectrum calculation to be a rearranged bisabolene-type sesquiterpene having a 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonene moiety. Compound 2 was cytotoxic against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ value of 50?μM, whereas 1 did not show cytotoxicity even at 50?μM. It is possible that 1 is biosynthesized from farnesyl pyrophosphate and glycine, with rearrangement.     

Synthesis and absolute configuration of two diastereoisomeric (1R,2S,3R)-and (1S,2S,3R)-2-amino-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butandiols

The synthesis of (1R, 2S, 3R) and (1S, 2S, 3R)-2-(N-benzoylamino)-1-(2-furyl)-1, 3-butandiols (15) and (16) from D-threonine is described. The assignment of absolute configuration of the newly formed asymmetric center at C-1 was based on the ¹H-NMR spectra of O-isopropylidene derivatives 17 and 18.     

Are the absolute configurations of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-chromen-4-one and its 6-bromo derivative determined by X-ray crystallography correct? A vibrational circular dichroism study of their acetate derivatives

The vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the acetate derivative, 3, of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-chromen-4-one, 1, and the acetate derivative, 4, of 6-bromo-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-chromen-4-one, 2, in the CO stretching region are reported. Density functional theory (DFT) predictions of the VCD spectra of the CO stretching modes of (R)-3 and (R)-4 are in excellent agreement with the experimental spectra for (+)-3 and (+)-4, demonstrating that the absolute configurations of both molecules are (R)-(+)/(S)-(−). Since acetylation of (+)-1 and (+)-2 yields (+)-3 and (+)-4, this in turn leads to (R)-(+)/(S)-(−) for both 1 and 2. The absolute configurations of (−)-1 and (−)-2 were previously determined using X-ray crystallography to be R and S, respectively. Our results lead to the conclusion that the previously reported absolute configuration of 1 is incorrect.This work is the first to apply the ‘conformational rigidification via chemical derivatisation’ methodology to the determination of absolute configuration using VCD spectroscopy and illustrates its utility in determining the absolute configurations of chiral alcohols and, by extension, other classes of chiral molecules containing flexible functional groups.     

Stereoselective synthesis of novel tetrahydroxypyrrolizidines

N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-3,4-O-isopropylidene-l-ribose 12a has been converted into (1R,2S,6R,7S,7aS)-5 and (1R,2S,6S,7R,7aR)-1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxypyrrolidin-5-ones 6 and (1R,2S,6S,7S,7aS)-7 and (1R,2S,6R,7R,7aS)-1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxypyrrolizidines 8 following stereoselective paths. These new compounds have been assayed for their inhibitory activities towards 25 glycosidases. Pyrrolizidines 7 and 8 are moderate but selective inhibitors of amyloglucosidase from Rhizopus mold (7: IC₅₀=130 μM, K_i=120 μM; 8: IC₅₀=200 μM, K_i=180 μM, mixed type of inhibition).     

Structural,stereochemical, and bioactive studies of cembranoids from Chinese soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

A series of highly oxidative new cembranoids with diverse structural features such as a dienoate moiety (sarcophytonolides S – U, 1–3) or an α,β-unsaturated ε-lactone (sartrolides H – J, 4–6) were obtained from Hainan soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum, along with known related analogues 7–13. It is an extremely challenging work to determine the absolute configurations of these metabolites. For compounds 1, 3 and 4, solution TDDFT calculation of ECD and specific rotation were applied in combination with conformational analysis and NMR data to determine their relative and absolute configurations, leading to the revision of relative configuration of 14. The absolute configurations of compounds 8–10 were determined by the solid-state TDDFT-ECD approach, and that of 8 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment with Cu Kα radiation. In the bioassays, compound 8 exhibited not only moderate protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀?=?15.4?μM) but also moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus Newman strain (MIC₅₀?=?250?μM).     

Enantioselective synthesis of some tetrahydroisoquinoline and tetrahydro-β-carboline alkaloids

Four alkaloids: (R)-(+)-cryspine A 5, (R)-(+)-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizidine 8, (R)-(+)-harmicine 19 and (R)-(+)-desbromoarborescidine 22 were prepared via the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction of a prochiral enamine (iminium salt). The enantiomeric excesses of the isolated alkaloids were determined from their ¹H NMR spectra measured in the presence of (+)-(R)-tert-butylphenylphosphinothio(seleno)ic acids as chiral solvating agents. The absolute configurations at the newly created stereogenic carbon atoms were confirmed, in all cases, by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and resolution of 2,2′-bis[di(p-tolyl)stibano]-1,1′-binaphthyl (BINASb); the first example of an optically active organoantimony ligand for asymmetric synthesis

Racemic 2,2′-bis[di(p-tolyl)stibano]-1,1′-binaphthyl (BINASb) (±)-2 has been prepared from 2,2′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl 1 via 2,2′-dilithio-1,1′-binaphthyl intermediate, and has been resolved via the separation of a mixture of the diastereomeric Pd complexes 4A and 4B, derived from the reaction of (±)-2 with di-μ-chlorobis{(S)-2-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]phenyl-C,N}dipalladium(II) 3. The optically active BINASbs (S)-(+)-2 and (R)-(−)-2 have been shown to be effective chiral ligands for the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones.     

Chiral resolution,absolute configuration determination,and stereo-activity relationship study of IDO1 inhibitor NLG919

NLG919 (1) with two chiral carbon atoms on its chemical structure is a potent indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor. We developed an effective way to prepare all stereoisomers of 1, the key step being the chiral resolution of racemic intermediate 2. The optimal resolution solvent system was identified as dichloromethane and n-pentane or petroleum ether. Using (?)-di-p-toluoyl-d-tartaric acid as resolution reagent, optical pure (R)-2 (e.e.?>?99%, yield?=?70%) was obtained. The mechanism of chiral resolution was clarified through single-crystal X-ray diffraction of the diastereomeric salt. The absolute configurations of four stereoisomers of 1 were established through electronic circular dichroism spectra, quantum chemical calculation and transition metal method. Their IDO1 inhibitory activity was assessed by pharmacological experiments in vitro and in mouse, demonstrating that S configuration of C5 played an important role on the inhibition of IDO1, while the stereochemistry on C2′ exerted little effect on the IDO1 inhibitory activity in mouse.     

Absolute configuration and antibiotic activity of neosartorin from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis

Neosartorin (1) was isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis. The absolute configuration of 1, including both axial and central chirality elements, was established as (aR,5S,10R,5′S,6′S,10′R) for the first time on the basis of its electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra aided with TDDFT–ECD calculations. Neosartorin (1) exhibited substantial antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacterial species including staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 4–32 μg/mL. When the toxicity of 1 against eukaryotic cells was measured using a panel of different cancer cell lines such as HELA and BALB/3T3, the average IC₅₀ values exceeded 32 μg/mL.     

trans-Aconitic acid-based hetero-Diels-Alder reaction in the synthesis of thiopyrano[2,3-d][1,3]thiazole derivatives

The hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of 5-arylideneisorhodanines with trans-aconitic acid proceeds as a regio- and diastereoselective process with spontaneous decarboxylation of the [4+2]-adduct to furnish thiopyrano[2,3-d][1,3]thiazole (2) and chromeno[4′,3′:4,5]thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazole (3) derivatives analogously to the use of itaconic acid as a dienophile. Conversely, the one-pot, three-component reaction of 5-arylideneisorhodanines, trans-aconitic acid and anilines proceeded without decarboxylation, leading to novel rel-(5′R,6′R,7′R)-5′-carboxy-7′-aryl-1-aryl-3′,7′-dihydro-2H,2′H,5H-spiro[pyrrolidin-3,6′-thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazol]-2,2′,5-triones 4. Interestingly, the use of trans-aconitic acid trimethyl ester led to the opposite regioselectivity, yielding rel-(5R,6S,7S)-5-methyloxycarbonylmethyl-2-oxo-7-aryl-3,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazol-5,6-dicarboxylates 5. Selected compounds were examined for trypanocide activity against the bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei where compound 4e showed the highest activity (IC₅₀ = 6.74 μM).     

A structure and an absolute configuration of (+)-alternamin, a new coumarin from Murraya alternans having antidote activity against snake venom

(+)-Alternamin (1), a new dihydrofuranocoumarin, was isolated from the aerial parts of Murraya alternans (Kurz) Swingle. The analysis 2-D NMR correlation of (+)-1 led to either of linear dihydrofuranocoumarin (2A, 2C) or angular one (2B). An IR and a vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) studies were conducted to distinguish the structure and to assign the absolute configuration. By comparison of the observed spectra with the calculated spectra for (S)-2A, (S)-2B, and (R)-2C, the molecular structure of (+)-1 was determined to be (S)-(+)-5,8-dimethoxymarmesin. The compound exhibited antidote activity against snake venom from Trimeresurus flavoviridis, affording experimental support for the pharmacological use of M. alternans.     

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.